Ilia Topuria shows respect to Khabib Nurmagomedov but takes shots at his "cheater" teammates: "I mentioned Islam, and all the cousins come out"

Ilia Topuria will look to defend his featherweight title for the first time when he faces Max Holloway at UFC 308 this weekend. He has expressed an interest in pursuing double champ status against Islam Makhachev in his next trip to the octagon leading to a back-and-forth with several teammates of the lightweight champion.

'El Matador' recently praised Khabib Nurmagomedov, while taking shots at the rest of his team. Speaking to Alvaro Colmenero of Eurosport Espana, the featherweight champion stated:

"Look, one thing I respect about Khabib, the guy is really super respectful. He never says anything about anybody, people talk a lot, he never says anything about anybody. I've mentioned Islam and all the cousins come out. They have never knocked anyone out, they get caught using steroids, they are super cheaters and suddenly they jump."

Topuria continued:

"The only thing it tells me is that they have a damaged nervous system from taking so many steroids because that's the first thing that gets damaged. Threatening a fighter with, 'when we see each other, I'm going to hit you', it's like, man, I dedicate my life to fighting."

Check out Ilia Topuria's comments on Khabib Nurmagomedov and his teammates below:

Topuria advised Makhachev's teammates who have been calling him out to be more creative in their trash talk. He claimed that the lightweight champion is currently the best fighter from the camp. It remains to be seen if the high-profile matchup between the two champions is something UFC matchmakers would consider down the line.

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Ilia Topuria claims his style would beat Islam Makhachev's

Ilia Topuria has continued to angle for the opportunity to face Islam Makhachev leading up to UFC 308. 'El Matador' claimed his style would beat the lightweight champion if the two were to be matched up in the octagon.

In a recent interview with Alvaro Colmenero of Eurosport Espana, Topuria claimed that Makhachev knows his background due to his time competing in Greco-Roman wrestling championships. The featherweight champion noted that he has faced many Dagestani wrestlers while adding that experience allows him to know how their style:

"For Islam, I represent a style that he knows would beat him... I would make Islam suffer a lot. Too much. I'm a guy who has impeccable physical preparation. In the fifth round, I am the same as in the first and I represent a threat at any second of the fight. A style that Islam has never faced in his life and will never face unless he faces me."

Check out Ilia Topuria's comments on Islam Makhachev below: