Elite striking, wrestling for days, impeccably timed deadpan humor – the UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has it all. Beyond fighting, Makhachev has also delivered some viral moments, one of which came during an interview with UFC commentator and close friend-teammate Daniel Cormier. While talking about wrestling development, the Dagestani champion joked that if someone wanted their child to become a high-level wrestler, they should send them to Dagestan for two to three years “and forget.” Now it appears that someone has finally accepted his offer.

Makhachev recently posted a video on his Instagram story showing him talking with a young Spanish athlete inside a gym. The reigning lightweight champion revealed that the individual had traveled to Dagestan to train for several years, as he had suggested during his conversation with Cormier. “First guy who come to Dagestan for [2-3 years],” Makhachev said, apparently thrilled by the situation. The original exchange occurred prior to UFC 302, when Islam Makhachev appeared on Cormier’s YouTube channel. The subject of their conversation drifted to wrestling when ‘DC’ remarked that his kid had begun competing in competitions.

Makhachev then made his now-famous remark, claiming that Cormier’s son would become an exceptional wrestler if he trained in Dagestan. “If you want your son high-level wrestling, send him two-three years [to] Dagestan and forget… [In] six months, one time you can call him,” Makhachev told Cormier. While the offer may have been made in jest, it was significant given Dagestan’s reputation as a breeding ground for world-class grapplers. After all, fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ikram Aliskerov, and Magomed Ankalaev have emerged from its rigorous training environment.

Daniel Cormier, despite his wrestling credentials as an Olympian and former world team member, quickly dismissed Makhachev’s advice. He laughed off the idea, saying that he would only consider sending his son for two weeks at most. While ‘DC’ did not accept the offer, someone else definitely did. Now, it remains to be seen if this young athlete will go on to become a UFC-caliber wrestler, but for the time being, Makhachev can proudly state that his advice was more than a joke—it was a challenge that someone finally accepted. Speaking of challenges, one of the biggest challenges that Makhachev might personally face now is going one-on-one against Ilia Topuria. In fact, the Spanish-Georgian’s teammate has even called the Dagestani his ‘next victim.’

Ilia Topuria’s friend drops a brutal verdict on possible fight against Islam Makhachev

Ilia Topuria may have avoided discussing his fighting future during his recent press conferences, but the message from his team is clear: he wants Islam Makhachev. After leaving the featherweight division, ‘El Matador’ has fully committed to lightweight, and his next ambition is to dethrone the Dagestani kingpin. While Makhachev’s team has made clear that ‘El Matador’ must first prove himself at 155 pounds, the Spanish-Georgian camp believes otherwise. In fact, Guram Kutateladze, his close friend and teammate, is confident that Topuria will be overpowering the Dagestani in this challenge.

In a recent interview, Kutateladze said, “I think he [Topuria] has another aim and another goal just right now. He also has the [lightweight] belt in the aim. And there is another person—Islam—who is having the belt right now, and he’s the aim. He is the next victim, as I understand and as I know.”  His words are clear: Ilia Topuria isn’t interested in warm-up matches or proving himself to the division. He wants to go straight for the championship. While the Dagestani side may be hesitant to give him an imminent title shot, Topuria’s confidence remains unshakable.

Whether Islam Makhachev accepts the fight or insists that the Spanish-Georgian fighter face another top challenger first, one thing is certain: the anticipation for the fight is at an all-time high. With both men seemingly unstoppable, a bout between them may be one of the biggest in UFC history. From ability to intensity to pure star power, Makhachev vs. Topuria has all the makings of a memorable matchup. What do you think? Who will win the fight when the two titans clash? Let us know in the comments.