Ilia Topuria’s ascent hasn’t just been impressive; it’s been cinematic. In the span of three back-to-back fights, he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, three men who once seemed untouchable. That run transformed him from a feared featherweight into the UFC’s lightweight ruler and the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world. And now, instead of settling into the throne, he has turned his attention towards Islam Makhachev at 170 lbs.

As per UFC’s Renato Moicano, that pursuit is justified. On The Ariel Helwani Show, he discussed a possible pathway for Topuria.

“Makhachev’s game is boring. But he is very hard to beat,” Moicano opined. “If you talk about striking and grappling, wrestling, Makhachev might be better on the grappling, wrestling, but Ilia Topuria is a knockout artist and a grappler, and a submission artist.

“I think he is one of the best and could be the greatest of all time.”

The Brazilian fighter further said that if Topuria defeated Makhachev at welterweight, he would be the greatest of all time, insisting the Georgian-Spanish star has everything together.

Over the past few months, ‘El Matador’ has insisted he can beat Islam Makhachev. That is easier said than done. If a potential fight takes place at 170 lbs, Topuria would be undersized. Plus, he jumped weight classes only recently.

Regardless, Moicano believes in him. That kind of endorsement isn’t common in MMA. It takes more than power, hype, or a shiny belt. It takes a fighter who blends skill sets seamlessly, someone capable of finishing elite opponents on the feet or on the ground and doing it with confidence that borders on prophetic.

And Topuria fits that mold. His ability to read exchanges, generate knockout power at odd angles, and dominate grappling sequences has made him one of the most dangerous finishers in the sport today. But becoming the GOAT isn’t just about ability; it’s about ambition. And that may be where ‘El Matador’ separates himself from the pack!

Topuria is ready to take on Paddy Pimblett, but would prefer a “third weight class” clash against Makhachev

While most champions look down their division for challengers, Ilia Topuria is looking up. His first choice for his next fight is Makhachev, now the welterweight champion after dismantling Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. But if that showdown can’t happen immediately, Topuria already has a backup plan, and it’s personal.

In a November 24 conversation with Alvaro Colmenero, the lightweight king shared, “I’d like to fight Paddy if they don’t let me move up to welterweight to fight Islam. Because the fight I would really like is against Islam in the third weight class. But let’s see.”

A feud between him and ‘The Baddy’ has been simmering since their infamous hotel altercation in London in 2022. But even then, it would only be a pit stop. Topuria made it clear his real destination lies elsewhere as he continued, “Maybe I’ll have one more fight, then in summer [maybe] there’s a date when they’ll let me move up to welterweight, and I’ll fight for the third belt.”

It’s hard to argue with his confidence. Topuria’s three-fight run is one of the most remarkable in modern UFC history. But if the UFC hesitates to approve a full welterweight jump, the fighter has yet another idea, one that has never existed in UFC history. What is it

According to him, “Maybe they’ll create a new belt called the pound-for-pound title at a catchweight. So, I’ll fight for that pound-for-pound belt. Let’s see. There are plenty of options. Let’s see what the future holds.”

Whether he gets Makhachev next year or has to make one more stop first, the direction is clear: Topuria isn’t chasing greatness for the sake of headlines. He is chasing it because he believes he can reach it. And if he ever does stand across from Islam Makhachev at welterweight and wins, then Renato Moicano’s prediction won’t sound bold anymore!