Islam Makhachev Jokes About Ilia Topuria's Manifestation Methods

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev used sharp humor to critique featherweight competitor Ilia Topuria during his appearance on Demetrious Johnson's podcast. Makhachev openly mocked Topuria’s well-known habit of manifesting victories and celebrating the day before a bout. To show his skepticism, Makhachev joked that he could simply go to sleep tonight, declare that he will wake up as a billionaire tomorrow, and expect it to happen. He argued that true success cannot be achieved through visualization alone.

The conversation turned serious when Makhachev discussed Topuria’s recent championship loss and future career path. Despite ridiculing the pre-fight antics, the 170-pound titleholder praised Topuria's actual athletic capabilities inside the cage. Makhachev noted that Topuria possesses excellent wrestling, high-level skills on the ground, and strong punching power. Because of these technical skills and his young age, Makhachev predicted that Topuria has the ability to become a UFC champion once again.

However, Makhachev emphasized that suffering a major defeat changes a fighter's psychological approach permanently. He stated that Topuria will certainly return to the Octagon as a different competitor following the loss. While Makhachev noted that the exact nature of this change remains to be seen, he believes the experience will force the former champion to evolve. The interview has triggered widespread debate among fans regarding the psychological impact of losing an undefeated record.