Khabib Nurmagomedov backs Ilia Topuria to defeat Charles Oliveira, explains why he shouldn't receive immediate title shot

Khabib Nurmagomedov recently backed Ilia Topuria in a hypothetical matchup against Charles Oliveira, but explained why he shouldn't receive an immediate lightweight title shot. The reigning featherweight champion had an excellent 2024 and is looking to continue building on his legacy in the sport.

'El Matador' recently expressed interest in returning to 155 pounds and achieving double champ status. He then doubled down by saying that he would even be willing to fight the top-ranked contender, Oliveira, in a title eliminator to prove he is deserving of a title shot.

During his appearance on Pound 4 Pound podcast, 'The Eagle' told Henry Cejudo that he believes the reigning featherweight champion would fare well against Oliveira and defeat him.

But, Nurmagomedov added that Topuria shouldn't receive an immediate title shot because former featherweight champion, Volkanovski was granted back-to-back title shots as well. He feels the move wouldn't be fair to the other lightweight contenders:

"Without fighting in 155 [pounds]? I don't agree. Because, Islam [Makhachev] already give chance [to the featherweight champion]...But why Islam have to give three time chance for 145 [pound] champion?...It's not fair for [the lightweight division]. But if [Topuria] moves up and he beats somebody like Charles Oliveira, of course. You know what I think, I think he can beat him."

Check out Khabib Nurmagomedov's comments regarding Ilia Topuria below:

---

Kamaru Usman agrees with Khabib Nurmagomedov's claim that Ilia Topuria would defeat Charles Oliveira

Kamaru Usman also weighed in on Ilia Topuria's plans for 155 pounds and agreed with Khabib Nurmagomedov's claim that 'El Matador' would defeat Charles Oliveira.

Following co-host Henry Cejudo's conversation with 'The Eagle', Usman reacted and mentioned that he would also back Topuria against Oliveira because the Brazilian has had a history of getting dropped in his fights:

"Yes, I do believe Ilia Topuria can win that fight [against Oliveira]. You've seen it, Charles Oliveira gets hurt in a lot of fights and gets dropped in a lot of fights. And so, now you throw in a guy like Ilia, that doesn't just hurt you, he will get you out of it. that mixes up the attack, goes to the body, goes to the head. Yeah, I think that Ilia is the favorite in that fight." [36:08]

Check out the full episode of Pound 4 Pound featuring Khabib Nurmagomedov below: