Javier Mendez isn’t excited about Ilia Topria’s lightweight plans.
Topria recently said he may be done competing at featherweight after just one title defense. The undefeated champion instead hopes to move up to lightweight to fight current 155-pound titleholder Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, who has already booked his next defense.
Makhachev will put the belt on the line against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 on January 18th at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. Topria has taken multiple shots against Makhachev recently, but Mendes, the Dagestani’s longtime coach, has yet to pay attention. Mendez is more focused on Makhachev’s upcoming defense against ‘Ahalkaraketu’, who he already won in a hotly contested unanimous decision in 2019.
Mendes also reiterated his ambitions to become a double champion, with Makhachev potentially moving up to welterweight. At the end of the day, Mendes promises Makhachev will accept any opponent the UFC offers.
“I have no interest in that fight at this point,” Mendes told Submission Radio. “I’m more interested in him defending against Allman, but let’s see what happens after that. Maybe that’s when the welterweight title will be up for grabs. I don’t know. But at the end of the day, I’m just talking. The UFC is going to make that decision with what they want, and what they want happens. If the UFC said, “This is your next title shot,” you would say, “Yes.”
However, one major hurdle remains in Makhachev’s welterweight plans. It’s the current champion, Belal Muhammad. “Remember the Name” is a proud and devout Muslim who shares close ties with the entire Dagestan Brigade and regularly trains with them. According to Mendes, Makhachev will never move up to 170 pounds as long as Muhammad remains champion.
“100% Belal. They will never fight,” Mendez said. “Just a brotherhood. They wouldn’t break it. And I don’t blame them. They’re not fighting for anything. They have loyalty to each other. . And Belal is a brother, and they are not going to fight him.”
