KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV has revealed why protege Islam Makhachev is unlikely to battle Ilia Topuria.

A mouth-watering conflict between the pair has been on the playing cards since Topuria vacated the featherweight title in February.

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The bout, nonetheless, has but to come back to fruition, with experiences claiming Makhachev needs the Georgian gladiator to show himself within the division earlier than giving him a title shot.

And in keeping with Nurmagomedov, the pound-for-pound king has reservations about preventing the brand new fan favorite as he is untested within the division.

He instructed Adam Zubayraev: “Let’s think about, Islam beats Topuria, then Topuria fights once more and loses.

“Principally, he was a no person at 155lbs.

“And [then], Islam beat a man who was a no person at 155, by way of Islam’s legacy.”

Makahchev hasn’t proven an oz of vulnerability in his final three title defences in opposition to Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano.

However his critics have been fast to level out he is solely defended his belt in opposition to former featherweights.

And that reality is seemingly on the forefront of the champ’s thoughts when weighing up a battle with Topuria, regardless of the eyeballs and large payday it could deliver.

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Nurmagomedov added: “Islam doesn’t need to battle Topuria, or Volkanovski or somebody stepping in on brief discover like Moicano.

“Islam needs to battle large names who actually deserve it. Guys who’ve been within the 155 division for a very long time.”

Nurmagomedov’s feedback quickly got here to the eye of Topuria, who responded in typical cocksure trend.

He wrote on X: “Khabib is aware of I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. Solely motive he doesn’t need Islam to battle me.”

Nurmagomedov’s feedback on Topuria difficult Makhachev for the light-weight throne come simply days after Dana White supplied an replace on the Georgian-born Spaniard’s subsequent outing.

He stated within the UFC 314 post-fight press convention: “We’re engaged on it.

“We acquired a whole lot of s**t to do. He is one of many greatest stars within the firm.

“If we had one thing deliberate, we might’ve introduced it already.”

Dagestani destroyer Makhachev hasn’t fought since making gentle work of Moicano in his record-breaking title defence at UFC 311 in January.

Topuria, in the meantime, has been on the sidelines since decimating fan favorite Max Holloway of their Abu Dhabi dust-up at UFC 308 final October.