Following claims from unbeaten featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria that he would become the first fighter to submit undisputed lightweight kingpin, Islam Makhachev, the Russian’s coach has challenged the former to first come to Dagestan and prove his grappling prowess.
Topuria, the current undisputed featherweight champion under the banner of the UFC, most recently defended his crown for the first time just last month, landing a brutal third round win over former champion and symbolic BMF champion, Max Holloway with a devastating knockout in Abu Dhabi.
As for Makhachev, the pound-for-pound number one ranked fighter on the promotion’s books, has been sidelined since June, most recently defending the 155lbs crown for the third time since his ascension with a spectacular fifth round D’Arce choke submission win over Dustin Poirier.