UFC Superfight Brewing: Dana White Eyes Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev If Both Claim Two-Division Gold

The UFC may be on the verge of another massive superfight, and Dana White already has his sights set on what could be a monumental showdown between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria—if everything aligns just right.

Topuria, the undefeated phenom from Spain and Georgia, continues to elevate his star status in the UFC. He most recently added another legendary name to his resume at UFC 317 by defeating former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in brutal fashion. The victory not only earned Topuria the vacant 155-pound title but also boosted his position in the Pound-for-Pound rankings.

His dominant run now includes victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Oliveira—arguably three of the most elite names in the featherweight and lightweight divisions.

What makes Topuria’s rise even more impressive is his unblemished 17-0 record and the confidence with which he dismantles elite opposition. White, clearly impressed, described his performances as “absolutely unbelievable,” especially given how he predicted the rounds and outcomes of some of his biggest fights.

On the other end of the equation sits Islam Makhachev, the now-former UFC lightweight champion who recently vacated his title in pursuit of welterweight gold. The Dagestani standout is reportedly targeting a fight with current welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena before the end of 2025. If he is successful in capturing a second title, it would open the door for a clash that UFC President Dana White believes could be one of the sport's biggest matchups.

“Islam moves up and obviously if Islam won the title, you immediately have a superfight with him and Ilia,” White said during an appearance on the Full Send podcast.

While acknowledging that plans in MMA are rarely guaranteed, White made it clear that a Topuria vs. Makhachev bout is very much on the table—provided both men hold championship belts in separate divisions. He noted that despite the temptation to get excited about potential matchups too early, some opportunities are just too significant to ignore if the timing works out.

“I don’t like hypothetical. These are options that we have if things play out that way, but you never know what’s going to happen,” he added.

White referenced the failed Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall heavyweight title unification as a recent example of a superfight that appeared locked in, only to fall apart. Jones recently retired, delaying or possibly derailing one of the most anticipated heavyweight bouts in UFC history.

Still, White hasn’t ruled out the return of Jones—especially with the possibility of him competing at a potential UFC event at the White House in July 2026. But at the moment, the spotlight is firmly on Topuria, who has quickly become one of the UFC’s most dominant and marketable stars.

If Makhachev does become a two-division champion like Topuria, the clash between these two could easily headline a mega pay-per-view or even anchor one of the UFC’s most ambitious events to date. It would feature two undefeated champions, both with exceptional grappling and striking credentials, each representing different regions and fan bases—an ideal recipe for a global blockbuster.

Until then, the UFC fan base will have to watch how the rest of 2025 unfolds. With both fighters currently on divergent paths, everything hinges on Makhachev’s success at welterweight and Topuria’s ability to defend his new title.

If it all falls into place, the UFC could be set for another iconic chapter in its storied history.