Ilia Topuria, the rising star in the UFC lightweight division, has recently stirred up controversy by claiming that both Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira are “scared to fight.” The bold statement, which quickly made waves in the MMA community, has drawn responses from several top fighters and analysts, including UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier.

Topuria, who has been making noise with his dominant performances, particularly in the featherweight division, didn’t hold back when discussing the lightweight elite. According to him, Makhachev and Oliveira have been avoiding potential matchups with him, calling them “scared” of the challenge he presents.

This declaration has led to a heated exchange of opinions, with many questioning the validity of Topuria’s claims. Daniel Cormier, a former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, has now weighed in on the situation, offering his take on the controversy.

Ilia Topuria’s Bold Claim

Topuria, who is 13-0 as a professional fighter, has rapidly risen through the ranks, earning a reputation for his aggressive fighting style and high-level skillset. Recently, during an interview, he didn’t mince words when he was asked about the lightweight division and his future in it.

“I’ve been asking for a fight with both Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira,” Topuria said. “But I feel like they are scared to fight me. They keep avoiding me. They don’t want to face me in the Octagon. They know what I bring, and they know they can’t handle it.”

Topuria’s statement quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions from fans and fighters alike. The Georgia-born fighter has been vocal about his ambitions to move up to lightweight, a division currently dominated by Makhachev, the reigning champion, and Oliveira, the former champion.

Daniel Cormier Responds to the Controversy

Daniel Cormier, a respected figure in the MMA world, was quick to react to Topuria’s bold words. As a commentator for UFC events, Cormier is known for offering well-thought-out insights on the sport, but he didn’t shy away from addressing this particular issue.

During a recent segment on UFC’s “DC & RC” podcast, Cormier shared his thoughts on Topuria’s comments, and it was clear that he had strong opinions about the situation.

“I understand what Ilia Topuria is doing — he’s trying to make a name for himself. He’s trying to get people’s attention. But calling out Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira as ‘scared’ is a dangerous game,” Cormier began. “You have to remember, these guys are the best of the best in the world. Islam Makhachev just dismantled Alexander Volkanovski, and Charles Oliveira is one of the most dangerous submission artists the sport has ever seen.”

Cormier emphasized that while Topuria’s rise is impressive, he might be getting ahead of himself by making such bold claims. “I’ve been around this sport long enough to know that fighting top-tier fighters isn’t just about skills — it’s also about timing. Topuria might be calling out Makhachev and Oliveira, but there are so many factors that play into getting a title shot.”

Makhachev and Oliveira’s Reactions

Neither Makhachev nor Oliveira has directly responded to Topuria’s comments, but both fighters have made it clear in recent interviews that they have no intention of rushing into any fight that doesn’t make sense for their career trajectories.

Makhachev, who has been on a dominant win streak since winning the lightweight title, recently told reporters that he’s focused on defending his belt against the best challengers. “If Topuria wants to fight, he has to earn it. I don’t see him as a top contender yet. There are other guys ahead of him.”

Similarly, Charles Oliveira, who was stripped of the title after missing weight for his fight against Makhachev, has reiterated that he’s focused on reclaiming the lightweight title but is also waiting for the right opportunities to come his way.

Topuria’s Path Forward

Despite the backlash, Ilia Topuria remains undeterred in his pursuit of a fight with the top lightweight contenders. His recent performances, including an impressive win over Josh Emmett, have earned him a place in the conversation for a title shot in the near future.

Topuria’s camp has expressed confidence that he is ready for the challenge, but some MMA analysts have pointed out that while Topuria’s skill set is formidable, there may be other fighters more deserving of a title shot at this point.

Topuria, however, has made it clear that he will not back down from his callouts. “I’ll prove to them that I’m the real deal,” Topuria said in a follow-up interview. “I’m not just talking — I’m coming for them.”

Conclusion

The callout by Ilia Topuria has certainly shaken up the lightweight division, sparking debates among fans and fighters alike. While it’s clear that Topuria is hungry for a title shot, his comments about Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira being “scared” to fight might have been a step too far.

Daniel Cormier’s reaction provides valuable perspective, emphasizing the level of respect that Makhachev and Oliveira deserve as champions and top-tier fighters in the UFC. Ultimately, whether Topuria’s bold strategy will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the lightweight division is more intriguing than ever, and the potential matchup between Topuria and the division’s top fighters could be on the horizon — if he can prove he deserves it.