Former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria believes Khabib Nurmagomedov`s opposition to a fight between him and current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev stems from Khabib`s understanding that Topuria poses a significant threat to Makhachev`s title reign.
“Khabib knows that I will be the one to dethrone Islam. That is the sole reason he is against Islam fighting me,” Topuria stated on X.
This statement comes after Topuria relinquished his featherweight title to pursue opportunities in the lightweight division.
