A renowned UFC Hall of Famer recently weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev’s legacies in MMA, likening their careers to the storied rivalry between basketball legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James. This comparison highlights the contrasting statuses of the two fighters, noting that while Topuria holds titles in two weight classes, Makhachev currently does not possess belts in multiple divisions.
Ilia Topuria made waves in the UFC lightweight division by becoming the 10th fighter in the promotion’s history to claim championships in two weight classes. This milestone was achieved at UFC 317 on Saturday when he delivered a devastating knockout over Charles Oliveira. Impressively, the 28-year-old is the first undefeated fighter in UFC history to secure two belts.
Meanwhile, MMA fans have closely followed the careers of Topuria and Makhachev, with conversations intensifying following a recent video from MMA veteran Chael Sonnen. Sonnen drew a direct analogy between the MMA superstars and the legendary basketball figures of Jordan and LeBron, referencing their ongoing debates over who stands as the greatest in their sport.
”The tightest [to defeat Islam Makhachev] is Ilia Taporia and Islam is not a champion, that’s a little bit of a problem if you’re just having discussions. I hear these come out all the time, [Michael] Jordan and LeBron [James], used to be six rings versus none and now maybe LeBron’s got a whole bunch of rings but I’m just sharing that used to be an argument that I would actually hear and right here, Islam is not a champion. Ilia just won his second belt.” —Chael Sonnen, UFC Hall of Famer
Topuria’s Featherweight Legacy and Makhachev’s New Challenge at Welterweight
Ilia Topuria previously held the featherweight title but relinquished it to pursue a high-profile showdown against Islam Makhachev. Their potential matchup sparked excitement among MMA enthusiasts, although Makhachev chose to vacate his lightweight belt and move up to the welterweight division. He is now set to challenge Jack Della Maddalena, the reigning welterweight champion.
Makhachev’s decision followed a noteworthy tenure in the lightweight category, where he made history by defending his title four times — a record for that division. This transition marks a new phase in his career as he aims to establish himself among the elite in a higher weight class.
Chael Sonnen Believes Topuria Deserved Three Titles
In the same video, Chael Sonnen expressed frustration over a missed opportunity that could have elevated Ilia Topuria’s status even further. Sonnen argued that Topuria should have competed for the BMF (Baddest Mother F***** ) belt against Max Holloway at UFC 308 last year, a chance that was never officially on the line.
”There was a mistake made and the mistake was made to put Ilia in there with the reigning BMF champion and not to put up the belt. That son of a b*tch should have three belts right now and we’re having a totally different talk right now if he does. The marketing and the posters are totally different if we had that, but we gotta follow it to a tee. The belt’s either up or it’s not.” —Chael Sonnen, UFC Hall of Famer
This point highlights how promotional decisions affect fighters’ legacies and public perception, particularly in the context of championship status and marketing appeal.
Impact on MMA Discussions and Future Rivalries
The comparison of Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev to Michael Jordan and LeBron James offers a compelling framework for fans to evaluate greatness within MMA. Just as basketball observers debate the legacies of these two icons based on championships and career achievements, the MMA community now faces similar discussions about which fighter will ultimately define an era in the sport.
Topuria’s undefeated record and two-division championship status have already placed him among the sport’s elite, while Makhachev’s move to welterweight introduces new challenges and opportunities. Their differing paths underscore the complexities in determining a definitive MMA greatest of all time.
As the lightweight and welterweight divisions continue to evolve, upcoming matches involving Makhachev at welterweight and a potential Topuria rematch remain critical for shaping their ongoing legacies and how the “LeBron James MMA legacy comparison” debate unfolds.