UFC legend makes pick for Islam Makhachev’s next title defense in 2025

One former standup warrior under the UFC banner has made his pick for Islam Makhachev’s next UFC lightweight title challenger.

UFC CEO Dana White recently told reporters that Makhachev isn’t short on options when it comes to his next championship defense. The 155-pound ruler has key names such as Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, and of course, Ilia Topuria gunning for his gold. While “El Matador” recently vacated the 145-pound title, it appears he is not guaranteed a crack at the 155-pound championship.

In the eyes of one former UFC fan favorite, Topuria should be the one facing Makhachev next.

RELATED: UFC COMMENTATOR JOE ROGAN SHARES STUNNING OUTLOOK ON ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS. ILIA TOPURIA

Matt Brown Picks Topuria to Challenge Makhachev Next

In the latest edition of MMAFighting.com‘s “The Fighter vs. The Writer,” Matt Brown told Damon Martin that if he were a UFC matchmaker, he’d book Ilia Topuria to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

“I give it to Ilia,” Brown said. “We’ve talked about it, Islam, he’ll give resistance to that. He’ll try for that not to be the fight. Rightfully enough, I think he should but I don’t feel like anybody else has done anything significant to be just clear. That’s why there’s four of them [vying for a title shot].

“No one has stuck out so much that you’re like OK, this guy should get the fight. I say give the opportunity to Ilia. Go see if it works for him. If it does, then you have an even more ginormous star in Ilia.”

Makhachev hasn’t been too keen on the idea of fighting Topuria next. He feels it’s too familiar to his two fights against featherweight Alexander Volkanovski, who hadn’t previously proven himself at lightweight. What the UFC ultimately decides to do is a story to keep a close eye on in the coming days and weeks.

Many within the MMA community seem to have divided opinions on what should be next in the UFC lightweight title picture. BJPenn.com will be sure to keep you up to speed with the latest updates.