'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUG/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABP/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAiZIM3//EAB0QAAIDAQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQRBQAGEmH/2gAIAQEAAT8A9ht8Dm8qOynChkjv061moxLBkVHYH7G5uqxHnXvxN1rppcymtUzuYlk0sE+jm/uef//EABcRAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEQH/2gAIAQIBAT8AbI8P/8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQMAAiL/2gAIAQMBAT8AXtZsZ//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Ilia Topuria weighed in on Merab Dvalishvili's successful defense of his UFC bantamweight title at UFC 311 against Umar Nurmagomedov. He walked into the octagon as an underdog against the 29-year-old Dagestani contender. After five rounds, Dvalishvili secured a unanimous decision victory in the fight to continue his reign.
Making his feelings known about the fight, Topuria took to Instagram and applauded 'The Machine' for a "truly dominating" victory:
"I just rewatched the fight, and it was truly dominating in every aspect, not just wrestling. You controlled his mind, cardio, and strength. You showcased a whole different level of performance. All the credit and respect goes to you. Georgia loves you ! If God is with us who against us."
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
The reigning UFC featherweight champion backed his close friend Dvalishvili in the fight. He also posted an immediate message on his X right after the 34-year-old Georgian won, marking his first title defense since winning it at UFC 306.
Ilia Topuria calls out Islam Makhachev after he defended his lightweight title at UFC 311
Islam Makhachev was scheduled to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311. However, the Armenian fighter withdrew at the last moment citing a back injury. Renato Moicano stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Tsarukyan.
Makhachev won the fight in a dominating fashion by submitting Moicano in the first round. As the reigning lightweight champion made his fourth successful title defense, Ilia Topuria took to his X and posted a warning to the 33-year-old Dagestani fighter:
"Islam, if I want to, I can finish you.if I want to, I can knock you out. I'll make it look easy. Se you soon."
The reigning UFC featherweight champion recently expressed his wish to move up to the lightweight division in a post on X. His callout comes against the backdrop of his earlier claim which he retracted and said he won't be vacating his featherweight championship since he hasn't decided on the prospects of a possible division change.
