Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (27-1) is open to a superfight with Ilia Topuria at the upcoming UFC White House event in June 2026.
The native of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia, will aim to capture a world championship in a second weight class when he challenges Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 322 on Nov. 15. A victory against Della Maddalena will not only mark history for Makhachev but may set up a bigger clash next year.
Reigning undisputed UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17-0) recently stated that he plans to move up to welterweight if Makhachev emerges victorious in November. While Makhachev is currently focused on the task at hand, he welcomed the possibility of a showdown.
Makhachev vs. Topuria on the horizon for 2026?
“He (Topuria) wants to fight in the White House,” Makhachev told Brett Okamoto of ESPN. “And I also want to be there. For the MMA community, it’s going to be a big fight. People want this fight. And if the UFC wants this fight, we can do this. I know the UFC wants to do some big fights at the White House. Which fight is going to be bigger than this?”
Topuria is coming off a first-round knockout victory over Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title at UFC 317 in June. He became the 10th fighter in UFC history to capture a world championship in two divisions. He previously held the UFC featherweight title.
While “El Matador” hasn’t announced his return to the octagon, rumors have circulated about a grudge match with Paddy Pimblett. Topuria may headline a UFC card in January 2026, allowing him plenty of time for a spot on the UFC White House event next summer.
In January, Makhachev defeated Renato Moicano by first-round submission at UFC 311, in his fourth defense of the UFC lightweight title. The protege of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov broke the previous record for most lightweight title defenses in UFC history (3).
He now has his sights set on becoming the 11th two-division UFC champion in history. Makhachev is currently ranked No. 2 on the UFC’s men’s pound-for-pound rankings, while Topuria sits in the No. 1 spot.
“If you come (to welterweight), it’s going to be better for me,” said Makhachev. “If I have to cut to 155 pounds, it’s going to be hard. Then I would have to pay for this.”
