“I hope to make you all happy again on June 28th.” These were the exact words of the former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who confirmed that he will make the walk during International Fight Week. Since making his move to the lightweight division, the Spanish-Georgian has just one goal in his mind. The 155lbs crown! ‘La Leyenda’ broke through the upper echelon at 145lbs and slayed two of the best in the form of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway back to back! And now, he aims to become champion in the shark-infested waters of lightweight by dethroning Islam Makhachev.

While there has been no official announcement of the fight as of yet, fans might just be in for some thrilling action at UFC 317. The Dagestani champion has never backed down from any challenge in his career so far. However, the 33-year-old is currently in a lot of dilemma about his future. His next target is to become a dual champion and wants to make a move to the welterweight division, which he has said time and again.

The problem? Belal Muhammad, who is currently holding the belt and is one of the close friends of the Dagestani camp. Only if he loses his belt at UFC 315 can we see the lightweight champion go for the second belt. But the Dagestani champion is not the one who will quietly hand over the belt to Topuria if they clash next. Rather, he is stepping up his training and adding variety to his arsenal.

Red Corner MMA took to their Instagram account to share a friendly training session in which Topuria was a part of. The former featherweight champion can be seen training with a young boy and giving him some important lessons. The caption read, “Ilia Topuria flow rolls with a young Jiu-Jitsu player! What an experience that would have been!” 

On the other hand, the 155lbs kingpin is training with some legends of the sport. Black Belt MMA took to their Instagram page to share the champ’s story, where he posted a picture with former UFC fighter Zabit Magomedsharipov and is training in his Buka gym. Makhachev is also grappling with Yusuf Raisov, the 29-year-old lightweight fighter. The caption of the post read, “Looks like Islam joined Buka Gym in Azerbaijan and probably wants to improve his striking even more with Zabit and his team for Topuria fight?”

This is not the only change the 33-year-old has made this time around. He has also begun playing mind games, and in a recent Instagram story, kind of mocked ‘La Leyenda.’

Islam Makhachev’s latest story might just hint at a new rivalry with Ilia Topuria

The Spanish-Georgian star is without a doubt one of the most confident fighters in the UFC. During his time in the featherweight division, Topuria backed all of his claims with some outstanding results inside the Octagon. Since stepping into the lightweight division, ‘La Leyenda’ hasn’t held back, repeatedly claiming that the champion fears him. During one of his interviews, Topuria didn’t hold back and said, “I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. That’s the only reason he doesn’t want the fight.”

While Islam Makhachev didn’t quite respond to all such claims, it seems he is slowly turning the tables. The Dagestani champion took to Instagram with a pointed message, posting an image of an ostrich burying its head in the sand. Alongside it, he added a caption that spoke volumes, firing back in subtle but unmistakable fashion.

The caption on the story read as, “I wanna tag somebody but I think it’s not worth it.” It seems Makhachev may be taking a jab at Topuria, suggesting that he’s sidestepping the division’s toughest contenders. Instead of testing himself against the elite like Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, and Justin Gaethje. Moreover, Topuria appears to be fast-tracking his way to a title shot, without fully earning his stripes in the lightweight ranks.

Well, all such claims will come to an end if the pair end up clashing at UFC 317. As fans, we are only hoping to see these two elite fighters in action. Who do you think will win the fight between the two? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.