The aftermath of UFC 315 has left the MMA world buzzing with speculation, hope, and confusion. At the center of it all is Ilia Topuria, the newly crowned UFC Featherweight Champion, whose dominant performance has fueled his desire to move up and face the reigning lightweight king, Islam Makhachev. But while Topuria’s ambition has ignited excitement, it has also raised a fundamental question: Is the UFC ready—or even willing—to make this super-fight happen?

Ilia Topuria’s Meteoric Rise and Loud Callout

Ilia Topuria didn’t just win at UFC 315—he arrived. His blistering knockout victory over a top contender solidified his status as a future superstar. With his charisma, Spanish-Georgian fanbase, and undefeated record, Topuria has quickly become one of the most marketable names in the UFC’s lower weight classes.

Wasting no time, Topuria used his post-fight mic time to call out Islam Makhachev, the current lightweight champion. “Let’s do it. Islam, I’m coming,” he declared with fire in his eyes and swagger in his voice. It wasn’t just a challenge—it was a declaration of war, signaling that Topuria isn’t content with just being featherweight champ. He wants two belts and he wants the biggest fight the UFC can offer.

But is it realistic?

Islam Makhachev: The Dominant Champion in Limbo

Islam Makhachev has ruled the lightweight division with quiet dominance, much like his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov. After back-to-back wins over Alexander Volkanovski and a now-stalled division, Makhachev is running out of fresh, compelling opponents. The division’s top contenders—like Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and Justin Gaethje—have either already fought Makhachev or are entangled in other matchmaking chaos.

This situation should, in theory, make a Makhachev vs Topuria showdown ideal. It’s fresh. It’s marketable. It’s legacy-defining. But there’s a problem: weight class politics, UFC matchmaking strategy, and whether Topuria has done enough at featherweight to justify such a massive leap.

Is the UFC Willing to Sacrifice Divisional Integrity?

Historically, the UFC has been cautious when allowing double-champ fights. While they’ve granted opportunities to Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo, they’ve also shown hesitation—especially when divisions get clogged as a result.

Topuria has never fought at lightweight in the UFC, and skipping the entire top-10 to face arguably the pound-for-pound #1 fighter in the sport is a bold and controversial ask. The UFC brass may see value in building Topuria further, particularly given how new his championship reign is. A loss to Makhachev could derail his momentum just as quickly as it was built.

Yet the UFC is also in the business of making money and moments, and Topuria vs Makhachev has all the ingredients of a blockbuster: an undefeated rising star versus a Dagestani machine, Spain vs Russia, striker vs grappler, charisma vs stoicism.

Fan Reactions: Hope, Hype, and Hesitation

The MMA community is split. On one hand, fans are eager to see fresh matchups and avoid seeing Makhachev in rematches that feel redundant. Topuria represents unpredictability and spectacle—something the UFC could use more of in its current climate.

On the other hand, there’s criticism that Topuria hasn’t defended his featherweight belt even once. Fighters like Max Holloway, Movsar Evloev, and Arnold Allen are waiting in the wings, and skipping over them might send the wrong message about meritocracy.

Even analysts are torn. Some believe the UFC should strike while the iron is hot, leveraging Topuria’s rising popularity to boost global appeal. Others argue that Topuria needs a bit more seasoning, and rushing him into a fight against one of the most dominant champions could backfire for everyone involved.

What’s Next for Makhachev and Topuria?

As of now, Islam Makhachev is without a booked opponent, and there are rumors of a potential showdown against Arman Tsarukyan, who earned a gritty victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. That matchup, while competitive, lacks the buzz of a crossover champion-vs-champion spectacle.

For Topuria, the options are clearer in his home division. He could defend against Max Holloway, who is red-hot after his stunning KO win over Justin Gaethje. A Topuria-Holloway bout would be a guaranteed fan favorite and could do big numbers internationally.

But if the UFC wants fireworks, eyeballs, and possibly a new double champ, pitting Topuria against Makhachev now might be the bold move they need.

Dana White’s Dilemma

UFC President Dana White has a tough decision to make. He must weigh the financial appeal and marketing potential of Topuria vs Makhachev against the logistical and ranking chaos it could cause. White has hinted in past interviews that he’s open to exciting fights, but he also prioritizes order and credibility within the UFC’s rankings.

If Makhachev vs Topuria is greenlit, it will almost certainly headline a massive pay-per-view card—perhaps one based in Abu Dhabi or even Spain, where Topuria’s fanbase is rapidly growing. It could be the UFC’s answer to the global reach boxing has shown recently with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Final Thoughts: A Fight Fans Want, But UFC Might Stall

At the end of the day, Ilia Topuria’s callout of Islam Makhachev has stirred the pot in all the right ways. It’s reignited interest in the lightweight division and given fans something to debate, anticipate, and hope for. But the reality of that fight happening soon remains murky.

Whether the UFC opts for a calculated build-up or decides to pull the trigger now, one thing is certain: Ilia Topuria is here, and he’s not afraid of the biggest challenges. And Islam Makhachev? He might just be waiting for someone bold enough to chase him up the mountain.