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Ilia Topuria would aim to 'shock the world' against Islam Makhachev
TL;DR
Ilia Topuria aims to 'shock the world' by submitting Islam Makhachev if they fight. Topuria, undefeated in MMA, seeks to achieve a historic victory against the welterweight champion.
Key points
- Ilia Topuria is undefeated with a record of 17-0.
- Topuria has won UFC titles in two divisions.
- He aims to submit Islam Makhachev in a potential fight.
Ilia TopuriaIslam Makhachev
If Ilia Topuria ever shares the cage with Islam Makhachev, he plans on doing the unthinkable.
Pulling off incredible feats is something Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) is used to. He's already captured UFC titles in two divisions and has designs on a third by facing welterweight champ Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC). Not to mention, he's never experienced defeat inside the cage.
When it comes to Makachev, who some view as the best fighter on the planet today, Topuria doesn't just want to beat him if they ever fight; he wants to go above and beyond a victory, which would be impressive in itself. Toupria wants to make it a lasting memory for everyone watching.
"When I get the opportunity to fight with someone, I always used to think about what can I do to really shock the world," Topuria said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "So with Islam, I'm like, to shock the world, I have to submit him. So, this is what I think that's gonna happen. I'm gonna take him down, and I'm gonna submit him.
"... Listen, I know that inside yourself, maybe it sounds a little bit weird, like strange. 'How you gonna take him down? How you gonna submit him?' But don't be surprised when you are gonna see that happen."
Makhachev has only experienced defeat once in his professional career. At UFC 192 in 2015, he was knocked out in the first round by Adriano Martins. However, ever since then, Makhachev has been an unstoppable force who has captured titles in two divisions. Topuria is well aware of Makhachev's skills, but the belief in his own abilities allows his mind to arrive at the idea of submitting Makhachev, even though he's known for his grappling, and it's never been done before.
"He's good. Everyone is good," Toupria said. "Justin (Gaethje) is good. Alex (Volkanovski) is good. Charles (Oliveira) is good. Max (Holloway) is good. Everyone is good, but I'm different. I'm the GOAT. ... Nah, not really. I don't like to claim myself as the GOAT of the sport. I always like to leave those decisions to the fans. They are the ones that make that decision."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ilia Topuria would aim for world-shocking finish of Islam Makhachev
Q&A
What does Ilia Topuria plan to do against Islam Makhachev?
Ilia Topuria plans to submit Islam Makhachev to 'shock the world' if they ever fight.
What is Ilia Topuria's MMA record?
Ilia Topuria has an undefeated MMA record of 17-0 and is 9-0 in the UFC.
How many titles has Ilia Topuria won in the UFC?
Ilia Topuria has captured UFC titles in two divisions and aims for a third against Islam Makhachev.
