Reigning UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who has named Islam Makhachev as his next big target, is confident he can defeat not only the Russian, but also his friend and sparring partner Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“I would love to step into the octagon against Khabib Nurmagomedov,” Sportskeeda quoted Topuria as saying. “That’s my dream fight. He has an undefeated record, 29-0, which is very attractive, as well as history. For me, he’s a worthy and honorable champion. I would beat him, one hundred percent.”
Earlier, the Spanish-Georgian fighter said he wants to see Conor McGregor, Max Holloway or Sean O’Malley as his next opponent.
On February 17 at UFC 298 in Anaheim, Elijah Topuria became the new UFC featherweight champion by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round, after which he said he plans to make his first title defense at the organization’s debut event in Spain.
Khabib Nurmagomedov ended his career in October 2020 by successfully unifying the current and interim UFC lightweight titles against Justin Gaethje, while Elijah Topuria made his first fight under the banner of the world’s strongest league two weeks prior.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/34019-iliya-topuriya-uveren-v-pobede-nad-khabibom-nurmagomedovym.html?rand=19907
