Updated

Updated · MMA Fighting · Aug 9

Topuria Manager Says He Would Annihilate 100% of Abdelaziz's Roster After June Loss

Updated

Updated · MMA Fighting · Aug 9

Topuria Manager Says He Would Annihilate 100% of Abdelaziz's Roster After June Loss

Q: What is happening behind closed doors that makes Topuria’s camp believe rival star fighters are secretly terrified to face him?

What Topuria’s camp is pointing to is not any documented refusal, but a belief that the public bravado from rival managers does not match private matchmaking reality. Malki Kawa’s claim is that Ali Abdelaziz talks up fights like Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Topuria in interviews and on podcasts, while “behind the scenes” those matchups are not being embraced as confidently. The strongest example is Usman Nurmagomedov. Abdelaziz publicly said the former PFL champion would beat Topuria, yet Nurmagomedov has only just entered free agency after finishing his PFL deal and has not signed with the UFC or booked that fight. Kawa is using that gap between public hype and the absence of a real deal as evidence that the other side is less eager privately than it sounds publicly. Kawa also framed the Gaethje situation similarly. Although Justin Gaethje beat Topuria at the White House card and has little reason to rush a rematch, Kawa insists Topuria had a “bad night,” remains elite, and would win the second fight. In his telling, rivals are happy to speak boldly after Topuria’s first loss, but less willing to commit once an actual return bout has to be negotiated. There is no independent proof that top lightweights are “secretly terrified.” What exists is Kawa’s accusation that managers and fighters are selling confidence in public while hesitating in private when Topuria’s name is seriously put on the table.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Aug 9

Malki Kawa used a social media video to blast Ali Abdelaziz after Abdelaziz said PFL lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov would beat the UFC roster, including Ilia Topuria.
Kawa argued Topuria would "annihilate" Abdelaziz's entire stable and said the former champion would beat Justin Gaethje in a rematch despite losing their June title fight.
That loss came at UFC White House, where Gaethje stopped Topuria after five rounds and left him sidelined while he recovered from facial injuries.
Kawa said Topuria remains his No. 1 fighter in the world and predicted a comeback "masterclass" against names including Islam Makhachev, Paddy Pimblett, Nurmagomedov or Gaethje.