Islam Makhachev Weighs In on Khabib–Conor Rivalry, Says Topuria’s Fame ‘Isn’t Even Close’ to McGregor’s

When Islam Makhachev speaks, the MMA world listens. The reigning UFC lightweight champion and heir to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy is not one to engage in trash talk or exaggeration — which is exactly why his latest comments about the Khabib vs. Conor rivalry and Ilia Topuria’s rising fame have drawn so much attention.

During a recent interview, Makhachev was asked whether Ilia Topuria, the fiery UFC featherweight contender known for his brash confidence and social media buzz, reminded him of Conor McGregor during his rise to global superstardom. His answer was as calm as it was cutting:

“I don’t think it’s even close,” Makhachev said. “But if you compare interests, he’s one of the biggest. If you were to pick someone now, he’d be one of the biggest. And Khabib vs. Conor — I don’t think it’ll happen again.”

In those few sentences, Makhachev not only dismissed the comparisons but also reminded fans that the Khabib–McGregor rivalry remains an unparalleled chapter in MMA history — a storm that changed the sport forever.

⚔️ A Rivalry Like No Other

The Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor feud wasn’t just a fight. It was a cultural event — a moment when the world’s eyes turned to the octagon not merely for violence, but for drama, emotion, and national pride.

Their UFC 229 showdown in October 2018 shattered pay-per-view records, with more than 2.4 million buys, making it the highest-selling MMA event in history. It was an explosion of tension that spilled far beyond the cage — from bus attacks to post-fight brawls — and it transformed both men into mythic figures in the sport.

“That kind of energy, that kind of chaos — it was once in a lifetime,” said MMA historian Tom Daniels. “You can’t manufacture a rivalry like that. It came from genuine animosity, from everything Conor represented versus everything Khabib stood for.”

To Makhachev, who was there firsthand as Khabib’s training partner and close friend, it’s clear why no rivalry since has matched its magnitude.

“It was personal,” he explained in an earlier interview. “Not about money, not about fame. It was about respect. That’s why it can’t be repeated.”

🌍 The Global Impact of Khabib vs. Conor

For many fighters today, McGregor’s model of fame — a mix of skill, bravado, and relentless self-promotion — is the template. But as Makhachev pointed out, no one has replicated the cultural impact of that 2018 rivalry.

McGregor brought Ireland to the forefront of MMA, while Khabib made Dagestan and the entire Muslim world proud. It was East versus West, humility versus showmanship, tradition versus spectacle.

“That fight made MMA mainstream across continents,” said former UFC matchmaker Joe Silva. “After UFC 229, the sport wasn’t just about America or Brazil anymore. It was global. Khabib brought an entirely new audience.”

In the years since, both fighters have gone their separate ways. McGregor has fought only sporadically and focused more on business ventures, while Khabib retired undefeated at 29–0 and transitioned into coaching — guiding Makhachev to become the new face of Dagestan’s dominance.

Yet, despite countless rivalries since, nothing has come close to the intensity of that night in Las Vegas.

🧠 Makhachev’s Measured Perspective

Makhachev, known for his composure both inside and outside the octagon, doesn’t chase headlines. His rise to the top of the lightweight division has been defined by quiet excellence — suffocating grappling, methodical striking, and an unshakable mentality inherited from Khabib and coach Javier Mendez.

So when he evaluates hype and exposure, his words carry weight.

“If you look at today’s fighters, yes, Ilia Topuria has a lot of fans, a lot of noise,” Makhachev said. “He talks well, fights well, and people like that. But Conor changed the game. What he did — it’s not even close.”

That statement resonates beyond simple comparison. For Makhachev, legacy is measured in impact, not attention. McGregor may have lost fights, but he altered the trajectory of MMA, creating an era where charisma and social media power are as influential as championship belts.

“Topuria is great for the sport,” Makhachev continued. “But that Khabib–Conor story… it was bigger than fighting. It was history.”

⚡ Topuria: The New Generation of Hype

To be fair, Ilia Topuria has earned his place in the conversation. The undefeated Spanish-Georgian featherweight (15–0) has become one of the UFC’s fastest-rising stars, combining knockout power with fiery confidence and a magnetic online presence.

He’s publicly called out Alexander Volkanovski, flaunted luxury cars on social media, and stirred headlines with comments that some say echo early McGregor energy. Fans love him, critics doubt him — and that polarization fuels his rise.

“Ilia has that spark,” said analyst Ariel Helwani. “He knows how to make people care — whether you want him to win or lose.”

But as Makhachev rightly noted, there’s a difference between momentary fame and historical impact. Topuria might dominate the headlines today, but McGregor’s influence reshaped how fighters promote themselves, how fans engage, and how the UFC markets its stars.

“Conor wasn’t just loud,” one coach remarked. “He backed it up with timing, creativity, and results. Until someone can do that on the same scale, comparisons don’t hold.”

🕊️ The Legacy Lives Through Makhachev

For Makhachev, carrying the Dagestani torch isn’t about chasing the spotlight — it’s about preserving the legacy of discipline and respect that Khabib instilled.

His fights may not come with the same pre-fight theatrics, but his dominance in the cage speaks volumes. Since capturing the lightweight title, Makhachev has defended it with authority, dispatching world-class opponents with a mix of precision and calm rarely seen in combat sports.

“Islam is the evolution of what Khabib started,” said coach Javier Mendez. “He doesn’t need to talk — his skills do the talking.”

And that’s precisely why his perspective on fame and rivalries feels so grounded. He understands that hype fades, but greatness endures.

“People remember champions,” Makhachev said simply. “They remember who stayed true, not who talked the most.”

🥇 A Rivalry That Defined a Generation

In many ways, Makhachev’s comments serve as a reminder of how Khabib vs. Conor transcended fighting. It was lightning in a bottle — a rare convergence of skill, storylines, and emotion that elevated MMA to a cultural phenomenon.

And while new stars like Topuria will continue to rise, the era of Khabib and McGregor remains unmatched — a time when every press conference felt like a global event and every stare-down carried history’s weight.

“That fight was the Super Bowl of MMA,” Makhachev concluded. “It won’t happen again. Not like that.”

In a sport that thrives on rivalries, Islam Makhachev’s words echo with quiet truth: some moments can’t be recreated — only remembered.

And as the torchbearer of the Dagestani dynasty, he’s not chasing the past. He’s building a future that, one day, others will remember just as vividly.