Islamabad, July 30, 2025: Islam Makhachev responds to Ilia Topuria taking his UFC P4P No.1 spot, calling it a marketing move and teasing a welterweight title fight in November.
Islam Makhachev has broken his silence after being replaced by Ilia Topuria as the UFC’s pound-for-pound (P4P) number one fighter. The reigning lightweight champion suggested the ranking switch was less about merit and more about marketing, claiming the UFC is trying to build hype for a potential future showdown between the two stars.
In recent interviews, Makhachev made it clear that he isn’t too bothered by the change, emphasizing that he’s focused on bigger goals, most notably, a welterweight title fight reportedly 90% confirmed for November. While he didn’t name the opponent, speculation points to a possible move up in weight, hinting at a major test for the Dagestani fighter.
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Makhachev didn’t hold back in calling the UFC’s move strategic, implying that Topuria’s rise in the rankings is more promotional than performance-based. He also hinted that when the time comes, he and Topuria will fight for the real number one spot.
Fans remain divided, with some backing Makhachev’s dominance in the octagon, while others point to Topuria’s undefeated streak and recent explosive performances. Either way, the tension is building, and a future clash between the two is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated match-ups in UFC.
