Movsar Evloev wants to prove himself against Ilia Topuria, regardless of whether there's a title on the line. Topuria won the featherweight title against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 last year and defended it by knocking out Max Holloway for the very time in his career at UFC 308.

Makhachev is the bigger fighter and cut significant weight to make the 155-pound limit. Topuria will also cut weight to make 155, but he will have a much easier process. Size matters much more in the UFC than in boxing, as the sport’s wrestling component is massive.

A UFC veteran backs Islam Makhachev’s take on Ilia Topuria, agreeing with his assessment: “He’s got a great point.”

British UFC lightweight star Paddy Pimblett thinks Ilia Topuria's jump up to lightweight will prove to be an ill-advised move.

Ilia Topuria will bid to become a two-weight champion against Islam Makhachev later this year. The featherweight champion won his first belt by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 last February. Ilia Topuria then spectacularly defended it by putting Max Holloway to sleep at UFC 308 in October.

Chael Sonnen thinks Ilia Topuria will have to earn a shot at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) vacated his featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds. Makhachev previously stated that a fight with “another featherweight” in Topuria doesn’t interest him,