Morning Report: Merab Dvalishvili calls it ‘stupid’ to make Ilia Topuria fight Charles Oliveira before Islam Makhachev
Merab Dvalishvili sees only one reasonable option for Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria: Fight now.
The UFC lightweight champion is in a waiting period right now, with a potential move up to welterweight if Makhachev’s friend Belal Muhammad loses his title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 on May 10, and Topuria waiting in the wings after recently vacating the featherweight title with the expectation he could receive an immediate 155-pound championship opportunity.
It’s a tangled web, but the answer is pretty simple to Dvalishvili.
“He’s saying he’s not a featherweight, he’s lightweight and he’s champion,” Dvalishvili said in a video uploaded by Fight Back Podcast. “Who you have—I know Islam is saying, ‘Oh, I don’t want to fight small guys.’ But Ilia is f*cking the biggest name.”
Makhachev’s reluctance to fight the undefeated Topuria also stems from the perception that several of Makhachev’s championship wins have come against 145ers, specifically Alexander Volkanovski, who Makhachev defeated in a pair of lightweight title bouts. Recent opponents Renato Moicano (a last-minute substitution for an injured Arman Tsarukyan), Dustin Poirier, and Charles Oliveira have also previously fought at featherweight, though all three have been well-established at 155 pounds for years.
It’s unclear who Makhachev’s team views as an ideal opponent, though close friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov has put forth Tsarukyan as the most compelling challenger. Dvalishvili is certain Makhachev would be an incredibly difficult test for Topuria (who shares Georgian heritage with Dvalishvili), but thinks it makes zero sense to have Topuria jump through another hoop for a fight everyone wants to see.
“He already beat Arman,” Dvalishvili said referring to Makhachev defeating Tsarukyan in 2019. “He beat Oliveira. He beat [Poirier]. ... It’s not going to be an easy fight for Ilia, but that’s the fight to—Ilia’s my friend, I love him, but it’s going to be stupid if he fights Oliveira, if he loses to Oliveira.
“This is the superfight.”
TOP STORIES
Content. Anthony Smith clears up any misunderstandings about where his broadcasting career is headed.
Nutrition. Paddy Pimblett already back to his big boy ways after huge UFC 314 win.
Beef. Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev continue to feud over a potential title bout.
Gratitude. Carlos Prates says Ian Machado Garry will be “thanking me” after Saturday’s UFC Kansas City main event clash.
Doubt? The UFC-Netflix partnership is anything but a done deal.
VIDEO STEW
MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Anthony Smith.
The Training Arc with Demetrious Johnson.
UFC 314 Fight Motion.
Carlos Prates hype.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin talks to Matt Brown about Paddy Pimblett’s extravagant weight gains, Anthony Smith’s legacy, and what to expect in Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
One step closer?
I’ve been told that Volkov cant fight now, but he accept to fight on fall
— Jailton Almeida “Malhadinho” (@Malhadinho_UFC) April 21, 2025
Me foi informado que o Volkov não poderá lutar agora, mas concordou em nos enfrentarmos no outono americano
Sick.
I don’t know who needs to hear this but someone does.
I don’t know who needs to hear this coming into fight week but, Kansas City (at least the one you’re talking about) is NOT in Kansas. Repeat…the UFC is not going to Kansas. Not even a little. Admittedly confusing…but we Missouri locals get unreasonably touchy about it .…
— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) April 22, 2025
“Bullet” or “Blade?”
Not funny but only because it’s wrong to joke about such a wonderful thing we’ll never have.
Jon Jones vs Parker Porter 2 is OFFICIAL for UFC 317 pic.twitter.com/yH7sev92Qm
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) April 21, 2025
Don’t do this.
Blessed worldwide.
The love in Korea is unreal. Thank you pic.twitter.com/5mmhLffAkk
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) April 21, 2025
Congrats!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Can’t lie, a weekend without UFC action is always refreshing, even with plenty of other options available these days (I know you all watched WrestleMania!). UFC Kansas City looks solid and has a great main event, plus we’ve got the dream fight between Mariusz Pudzianowski and Eddie Hall at KSW 105, and Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn finally facing off.
Buckle up!
EXIT POLL
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