Topuria’s Manager Disputes Dominance MMA’s Roster Claims Following Gaethje Defeat
The featherweight champion’s camp rejects assertions that PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov could force a quit, insisting Topuria remains the number one fighter in the world.
Malki Kawa, manager of UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, has publicly refuted assertions made by talent agent Ali Abdelaziz regarding his client’s competitive standing. The dispute emerged following Topuria’s loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, where Abdelaziz suggested that PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov could force the champion to quit in a hypothetical matchup.
Abdelaziz voiced his assessment on the 'Pound 4 Pound' podcast, a programme hosted by his clients, former UFC champions Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo. During the broadcast, the agent posited that Nurmagomedov, a 22-0 free agent, possessed the capability to defeat Topuria. This commentary followed Topuria’s fourth-round corner stoppage loss to Gaethje, a bout in which the champion had previously hurt his opponent with body shots in the second round before sustaining severe facial damage.
In response, Kawa utilised social media to defend his client’s record and reputation. He characterised Abdelaziz’s comments as an attempt to hype other fighters while dismissing Topuria’s performance. Kawa stated that the agent sounded like a "clown" for suggesting Topuria would lose to Nurmagomedov, particularly given that the podcast was hosted by the agent’s own roster members.
Kawa asserted that Topuria would defeat 100 percent of Abdelaziz’s roster, which includes Nurmagomedov, Usman, and Cejudo. He specifically highlighted the potential for a rematch against Gaethje, claiming Topuria would "annihilate" his opponent and asserting that the champion was superior in their previous encounter. Kawa maintained that Topuria remains the number one fighter in the world despite the recent setback.
Looking ahead, Kawa promised a "masterclass" comeback from Topuria against a range of potential opponents, including Paddy Pimblett, Islam Makhachev, Nurmagomedov, and Gaethje. He indicated that the timing and specific opponent were secondary to the quality of the performance Topuria would deliver upon his return to the octagon.
