Ilia Topuria changes tune on Islam Makhachev's move to welterweight
Ilia Topuria has walked back his comments on Islam Makhachev.
Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) initially called Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) a hypocrite and accused him of running away when he vacated his UFC lightweight title for a move up to welterweight. However, Topuria no longer feels that way.
He thinks Makhachev is doing exactly what he did, opting to move up a division to chase a second UFC belt.
"I think he's doing his thing. I don't think he's ducking me, to be honest," Topuria said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "I would be lying to you if I told you that he's ducking me. I think he's tired of the weight cut. He wants a new challenge. He moved to the welterweight division. He feels and he thinks that he has a chance to become a double champion, and I think that this is all he's trying to do."
Topuria thinks had Belal Muhammad retained his welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Makhachev would've had no option but to fight him at lightweight – considering his friendship with Muhammad.
But when asked why Makhachev didn't fight him first before a move up to welterweight, Topuria surprisingly came to his defense.
"I think not a lot of people understand how hard is the weight cut," Topuria said. "When you get tired of the weight cut, it's like there's no name in the world that motivates you to fight, there's no money in the world. It's like you just want to take care of your health. This is the reason why I switched the weight class, and I think he's doing the same thing."
Topuria will still get his opportunity to chase a second title when he meets Charles Oliveira (35-10 MMA, 23-10 UFC) for the vacant lightweight belt in Saturday's UFC 317 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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