UFC legend suggests Khabib could avoid Makhachev-Topuria clash

Ilia Topuria e Islam makhachev are big names in the UFC. photo: SUPER FIGHTS Montage

Henry Cejudo gave his opinion on a possible confrontation between the lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg) and the newcomer in the division Ilia Topuria. For the UFC star, Khabib Nurmagomedov could be a kind of 'front man' to avoid a duel between Islam makhachev and Spanish.

Despite the last featherweight champion (up to 65,7kg.) ensure that The UFC promised him a title fight in the higher division, Islam did not would have agreed with the duel and closed his face on the door in Topuria's face.

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“I remember talking to Khabib, and Khabib said it’s not fair for Ilia to jump the queue and go after the title shot with Islam because that’s all Islam has done. He gave Volkanovski a couple of (title shots) where he stepped up. So I don’t even think it’s going to be Islam’s choice. I think Khabib is going to step in and say, ‘He needs to fight the No. 1 contender,’” Cejudo told the BBC. 'MMA Junkies'.

For Cejudo, Makhachev's word about facing anyone could lose credibility with the negative response to Topuria. 'Triple C' risked predicting what the pound-for-pound leader's next fight will be.

“I personally think Islam will fight anyone, anytime, anywhere. There’s a quote about him in IP that says that, but I think the person who is most likely to play as a backup will be Khabib Nurmagomedov. He's going to say no, so for that reason I think it will be Justin gaethje x Islam makhachev, International Fight Week.”, said Cejudo.