Ilia Topuria targets Islam Makhachev, scores beef with undefeated Bellator champion instead: ‘Still on steroids?’

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

It’s been said before, but Ilia Topuria is not lacking for confidence.

The undefeated Featherweight champion is definitely riding high ahead of his first title defense opposite the resurgent Max Holloway, whom he promises to brutalize in short fashion. It’s a lot of tough talk, but can you blame the 27 year old when he’s largely lived up to his word and dominated everyone else so far?

Either way, Topuria’s ambitions are not limited to 145-pounds. Inside the Octagon, “El Matador” fought just once at Lightweight against Jai Herbert, suffering a bit of trouble before landing a tremendous knockout (watch it). Recently, Topuria responded to a fan question online and expressed interest in returning to Lightweight, targeting a match up with champion Islam Makhachev.

“The truth is that of course I do,” Topuria responded when asked if he thinks about fighting Makhachev. “He’s a great fighter. Sometimes he talks too much, sometimes not, but we can always resolve it in the Octagon. Not in the street because I’ll have to pay for his medical bills.”

All told, it’s pretty mild trash talk by Topuria standards. Makhachev’s team mate and undefeated Bellator Lightweight champion, Usman Nurmagomedov, was unimpressed however. He responded on an Instagram story, questioning “When did you ever fight on the street European boy?”

Topuria responded with questions of his own about Nurmagomedov’s murky 2023 drug test failure. He replied to Nurmagomedov’s question on X, writing “It has been a long time, to be honest. How are you doing with drugs? Are you still on steroids?”

As mentioned, Holloway is next up for Topuria, as the two are scheduled to throw down the upcoming UFC 308 pay-per-view (PPV) event on Oct. 26 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. If he’s victorious, top Featherweight contenders like Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev are waiting for their first shot at UFC gold, and Topuria is also supposed to fight Alexander Volkanovski a second time. If and when he does jump back into the Lightweight waters though, Topuria will have plenty of options for opponents.

Insomnia

Conor McGregor doesn’t seem THAT upset about his return fight being continually delayed.

Oh yeah, we love veteran vs. veteran violence! It will be interesting to see how Damon Jackson fares back at 155 pounds as well.

Daniel Cormier is just asking to get kicked in the calf again.

It goes without saying, but … a master at his craft.

What kind of reality dating nonsense has Payton Talbott gotten himself into? I look forward to not watching but posting some clips in this column!

Hang it in the Louvre.

Merab vs. Umar Nurmagomedov is obviously next, but does the challenger really get to dictate when the fight takes place? Eh.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Classic Muay Thai on display.

Two minutes of Alex Pereira deleting people with his left hook!

A Capoeira kick that didn’t miss! Incredible.

Random Land

Never underestimate the power of a good feint.

Midnight Music: Post-rock, 1996

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.