Jon Anik believes Islam Makhachev is the only fighter capable of defeating Ilia Topuria across two UFC divisions.

Jon Anik recently shared his thoughts on Islam Makhachev potentially returning to the 155-pound division and possibly challenging Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title.

Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) walked through that door at UFC 317 in June, when the former featherweight champion moved up in weight and knocked out Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant 155-pound belt left behind by Makhachev as he jumps divisions in his own career and readies to challenge welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena later this year.

Belal Muhammad avoids answering whether he would fight Islam Makhachev for the UFC title, keeping fans guessing about a potential showdown.

Earlier this year, Makhachev followed in his mentor’s path and gave the lightweight title back to the UFC having never lost it. Back in 2020, Nurmagomedov retired from the sport at his mother’s request, and now his protege wanted to change division, meaning he echoed the plan.

The building blocks for a potential super fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria are being put in place. There's no doubt a clash between the two current pound-for-pound bests would be big for the sport, but how big exactly?

It has become increasingly common for UFC champions to move up in weight to pursue their ambition of becoming a The post Belal Muhammad Doesn’t Say ‘No’ To Fighting Teammate Islam Makhachev Down The Line: “It’s My Belt” appeared first on FirstSportz.

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on a potential timeline for the mixed martial arts retirement of Islam Makhachev.