Beneil Dariush explains how Islam Makhachev could be stuck in a lose-lose fight with Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev's potential fight against Ilia Topuria has sparked plenty of buzz in the MMA world, but not all attention is positive. While many fans eagerly anticipate the clash between the lightweight champion and the rising star, UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush believes Makhachev is caught in a lose-lose situation. The crux of the issue lies in the expectations surrounding Makhachev, who seems to be in an uncomfortable position, whether he wins, loses, or even if the fight doesn’t happen at all. Here's why Dariush thinks it's a tough call for Makhachev.

Islam Makhachev has already cemented his status as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, with wins over former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and others. So why is the fight with Ilia Topuria, a fighter still building his legacy in the UFC, considered a potentially problematic choice for Makhachev? According to Beneil Dariush, it all boils down to the way fans react to victories and losses in today’s "toxic" MMA culture.
“Islam Makhachev won’t receive credit whether he does or doesn’t fight Ilia Topuria,” Dariush told Inside Fighting. “If the lightweight champ proved to be successful in that matchup, there would be a contingent of fans who would downplay his accomplishments due to the fact that he already beat Alexander Volkanovski on two occasions.”

Dariush argues that even a win over Topuria may not elevate Makhachev the way it should, given the fact that many fans may dismiss the victory as just another notch on the belt, given Volkanovski’s dominance in two separate weight classes. On the other hand, a loss to Topuria would be a huge setback, especially considering the expectations of MMA fans.
Makhachev also faces the pressure of an expectation that this fight must happen, something Dariush believes makes it even harder for the champion. “It’s like, ‘Ah, you gotta fight this guy,’” Dariush said. “The champion gets to fight whoever he wants kind of.”

Although Ilia Topuria has made it clear that he will be competing at UFC 317, the timeline for Islam Makhachev’s next fight is still up in the air. Dariush suggests that Makhachev could take a step back and wait for a better opportunity, especially considering the lightweight champion just fought this year. “He could wait because he just fought and he could wait a little bit and see who’s going to be available,” Dariush said.
Given that Topuria is a featherweight and Makhachev has already fought elite competition, Dariush suggests that Makhachev could afford some time before making his next move.
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Islam Makhachev finds himself in a difficult position where no matter what choice he makes, the outcome could be less than satisfying in the eyes of some MMA fans. Whether he fights Topuria or waits for a different opportunity, the Russian fighter’s next move could have a significant impact on his legacy. It’s a delicate balancing act between satisfying fans and managing his career trajectory as one of the UFC's most elite champions.