Being a double champion in the UFC has always been looked upon as a legacy-defining status. B.J. Penn and Randy Couture are among the few classical-era fighters who have achieved this highly prestigious feat, but Conor McGregor became the personality to amplify its grandeur. Daniel Cormier, Henry Cejudo, Amanda Nunes, and recently, Alex Pereira have become the athletes to accomplish it. So, champions like  Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev’s pursuit of the same glory is nothing but a testament to their elite-competitive mindset.

Soon-to-be former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria wishes to acquire double-champ status. And you know what? His desire might just become a reality. Recently, the current lightweight champion’s potential move to welterweight left the fans confused. Álvaro Colmenero, a journalist for Eurosport, revealed that Islam Makhachev’s future will be decided after the result of UFC 315, which sparked speculation that if Jack Della Maddalena gets crowned as the new welterweight champion, the Dagestani Juggernaut might get his chance to hoist two belts at the same time.

This rumor became more believable because Islam Makhachev, in an interview with Demetrious Johnson at the Mighty Cast podcast, said, “Honestly Belal Killed my plan you know! We have become close friend, we have same manager. We can’t talk you know, I have an opponent, he have an opponent, but nobody know what’s gonna be in the future. I have same dream, I want to be double champ, and I just waiting for my chance, because not make the sense to give chance third time from the some guy, who come from [lower division].

We were waiting for something from the end of Islam Makhachev and his team. So, according to an Instagram post by MMA Pros Pick, his manager Ali Abdel Aziz came out on social media and debunked this rumor as “Fake News.”

Belal Muhammad once stated on the Barstool Chicago podcast that he would never fight his teammate and expressed keen interest in vacating the belt and moving up in the middleweight division if necessary. His statement also contributed to this rumor which already sounded too good to be true. Makhachev still has competition in the lightweight division before ascending into the weight class above him.

It’s definitely good news for Topuria, to be honest. He still has a chance to grab that lightweight gold. However, this development doesn’t guarantee that an immediate title shot is next for him because a UFC double champ believes ‘La Leyenda’ has some other plans.

Henry Cejudo theorized that Ilia Topuria changed his moniker to fight Dustin Poirier

Ilia Topuria is currently itching for a proper scrap. Although Islam Makhachev didn’t turn him down completely, the uncertainty is always there from his camp, and Charles Oliveira was definitely clear with his decision to fight for the belt next. So, that leaves the former featherweight champion in a tricky situation.

It has been five months since Topuria sent Max Holloway’s iron chin to the stratosphere and he still left without any opponent. The Georgian Spaniard’s callouts are not being heard, but Dustin Poirier might answer him. ‘The Diamond’ is looking for a legendary fight before saying goodbye to this sport, and a proper knock against the soon-to-be former featherweight champion is nothing short of a superfight.

At least, Henry Cejudo believes, the reason for Topuria choosing ‘La Leyenda,’ which translates into ‘The Legend,’ is because he wants to fight Poirier next. The former double-champ on the Bohnfire podcast said, “Think about. Dustin Poirier did say he’s only fighting legends for his retirement fight, and IIlia Topuria just changed his name to ‘Legend.’ We’re probably on to something.”

Do you think Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria is gonna happen soon? Please drop your thoughts below!