"How could it be interesting to me?" - Islam Makhachev shares brutal response to fighting Ilia Topuria at lightweight

It appears the door for Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is not shut. However, Makhachev, personally, doesn't see the allure in dropping down in weight to face the reigning lightweight champion.

During a recent interview with Match TV, the Dagestani was asked whether he was interested in the Topuria fight. Makhachev recognizes the fanfare surrounding the bout and is not opposed to it:

"I think so. It would be nice. The fans are interested, and so am I. This fight is the main thing that people are talking about."

However, if he does end up fighting Topuria, it won't be out of personal desire but rather to respect the wider fan sentiment:

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"[I'll be doing it for the fans] How can it be interesting to me? What will I gain by going down to 155 [pounds] and beating Topuria? Win the belt again? I already have it. The fans are mostly interested in it. I'm not interested in cutting down to 155 [pounds] and torturing myself again. I'm interested in fighting at 170 [pounds], eating, enjoying the camp, and fighting."

Check out Islam Makhachev's comments on a potential Ilia Topuria fight below:

Makhachev will next be seen at UFC 322, where he'll take on reigning champion Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight crown. With the fight under two weeks away, the former pound-for-pound king is a -290 favorite for the bout, with Maddalena as a +215 underdog.

Islam Makhachev reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov's advice for UFC 322 title fight

As Islam Makhachev heads into UFC 322, Khabib Nurmagomedov seems to want him to play to his strengths. Given Makhachev's wrestling pedigree, Nurmagomedov is convinced that a grappling-heavy game is the best course for it.

When ESPN MMA's Brett Okamoto asked Makhachev what 'The Eagle's' biggest advice to him for the fight was, he showed no hesitation and responded:

"It's no secret. He told me like take him down. Try to take him down and make him tired there."

Makhachev is convinced he can finish the champion on the ground:

"I think I can finish him on the ground, you know. I can choke him [or] do something like an arm bar. I saw his skills on the ground. He is good, but I have something more." [9:20 minutes into the ESPN interview]