UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has broken his silence after being overtaken by Ilia Topuria as the new No.1 pound-for-pound fighter. In a brief but pointed response, Makhachev said, “Rankings mean nothing. Real champions show it in the cage.”
Topuria’s meteoric rise following his stunning win over Alexander Volkanovski shook the MMA world—and the rankings. While fans debate the shift, Makhachev remains focused, hinting at future dominance rather than online validation.