Ilia Topuria takes a break from berating Islam Makhachev to offer his rival real praise

It just isn’t all animosity between UFC champions Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev.

The 2 top MMA stars have been going forwards and backwards over a possible fight contained in the Octagon ever since Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to succeed Makhachev on the lightweight throne.

Reports suggested that a super-fight between the present 155-pound king and the brand new welterweight champ was within the works for the UFC event on the White House lawn this June.

That didn’t come to fruition and the pair have shared their very own version of events as to why that’s the case, but that feud doesn’t mean there isn’t respect between them.

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Ilia Topuria says Islam Makhachev has ‘real skills’ within the Octagon

Makhachev said Topuria priced himself out of their planned clash in Washington D.C. on June 14, a claim that was disputed by Dana White.

‘El Matador’, meanwhile, has suggested he had agreed to the fight and accused Makhachev of using injury as an excuse to get out of it.

Their latest remarks come after a heated period in 2025, during which Topuria called Makhachev a “coward” for leaving the lightweight division just as he planned to maneuver up from featherweight.

But despite their growing rivalry, Topuria remains to be capable of acknowledge the Dagestani’s status as among the best in MMA.

“I need to check myself against someone who has dominated his division for therefore long, because he was champion within the division where I’m,” Topuria said during a recent appearance on El Hormiguero.

“What higher than to measure myself against someone who has the record he has? I see it purely from a sporting perspective.

“I consider Islam a talent, someone with real skills contained in the Octagon,” he continued. “Putting that on display with mine could create a really, very interesting fight for everybody.”

It stays to be seen whether Topuria and Makhachev will ultimately get the possibility to settle their differences contained in the Octagon.

The Spanish star is hoping to secure the matchup in an effort to have his shot at history. Topuria desires to be a UFC triple champion, a feat no fighter has yet achieved.

Alex Pereira may have the possibility to be the primary when he faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title on the White House.

That bout is available in the co-main event before Topuria returns to unify the lightweight titles against Justin Gaethje.