"Come to Dagestan" - Islam Makhachev’s coach fires back at Ilia Topuria’s bold submission claim
Ilia Topuria is quickly becoming one of MMA's biggest stars alongside the likes of Islam Makhachev, Jon Jones and Alex Pereira. The Spaniard struts with a confidence that has been likened to Conor McGregor, and has performances to back up his fighting words.
'El Matador' recently faced Max Holloway at UFC 308, where he promised to be the first man to defeat the Hawaiian via knockout. With 'Blessed' having not been officially knocked down, let alone knocked out, in his entire career, Topuria's prediction was labeled as cocky by some fans.
But the 27-year-old delivered on his promise, and finished Holloway in Round 3 via KO.
Prior to UFC 308, the featherweight champion also stated that should he fight Makhachev, he would be the first man to submit the lightweight king. The Dagestani has been regarded as arguably the best grappler in MMA, and 'El Matador' was labeled as overly confident.
Makhachev's longtime coach, Javier Mendez, has now shared his thoughts on the 145-pound king's statement. Mendez was recently interviewed by Red Corner MMA, and said:
"To be the first one to submit Islam is a big thing to throw out there. Let's see if the fight happens first... His coach said that he submits everybody and beats everybody at everything. Maybe [Topuria] is that confident because of what he does over there. But what's the quality of opponents he's doing it to? I don't know that."
He continued:
"You come to Dagestan, and [if] you're submitting everybody there, then we can talk. But if you're doing it at home, you're not doing it with the beasts that are in Abdulmanap's gym... The only person I've seen do anything to Islam is Khabib [Nurmagomedov]."
Check out Javier Mendez's response to Ilia Topuria below:
Alexander Volkanovski discusses Ilia Topuria claiming he could submit Islam Makhachev
Having fought both Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev, Alexander Volkanovski is fully qualified to break down the Spaniard's claim that he would submit the lightweight champion.
'El Matador' has produced vicious back-to-back KO wins over Volkanovski and Max Holloway, but Topuria's grappling is rumored to be as good if not better than his striking.
During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, 'The Great' discussed the featherweight champion's recent claim, and said:
"The submission, I don't see that happening. Can he knock Islam out? Of course, he can knock anyone out in [featherweight and lightweight]."
Check out Alexander Volkanovski discussing Ilia Topuria below (33:50):