The rivalry between two of MMA’s biggest managers has picked up steam.
Ilia Topuria’s manager, Malki Kawa, has responded angrily to Ali Abdelaziz after the veteran manager suggested his PFL lightweight star Usman Nurmagomedov could run through the UFC’s 155-pound division.
Abdelaziz made the comments during an appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, which is hosted by two of his clients, Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo.
Topuria was among the fighters mentioned in the discussion. That did not sit well with Kawa.
Kawa Defends Topuria
Kawa addressed Abdelaziz in a video shared on social media and took particular issue with the idea that his clients could easily defeat Topuria.
“You’ve got this guy, he’s sitting there with two of his clients, and one of them happens to be Usman.”
“They’re sitting there talking about his next opponent, ‘Oh yeah, he would beat this guy, he would beat that guy’ and ‘He will do this and he will do that.’ Guy, shut the f*ck up.”
Kawa then made his position on Topuria clear.
“Ilia Topuria would fcking annihilate 100 percent of your roster.”
Topuria surrendered his lightweight title to Justin Gaethje earlier this year in a grueling UFC White House main event.
Gaethje produced one of the strongest performances of his career and forced Topuria to remain on his stool heading into the fifth round.
Kawa acknowledged that result but believes it does not change where he ranks his fighter.
“We all know that Ilia was better. He had a bad night. Your boy did good, congratulations. Stop hyping up the other shit. You sound like a f*cking clown.”
Kawa Predicts Topuria’s Return
Topuria is currently taking time away from competition while recovering from facial injuries suffered against Gaethje.
His manager expects the former champion to return with plenty to prove.
Kawa also named several potential opponents, including Paddy Pimblett, Islam Makhachev, Usman Nurmagomedov and Gaethje.
“I promise you guys, when the comeback comes, you will see what happens.”
“Paddy Pimblett, fcking Islam, Usman, fcking Gaethje, it doesn’t matter who. It doesn’t matter when.”
The comments also appeared to question Abdelaziz’s motives as a manager.
“But to sit here as an agent on the podcast of your clients and be like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re going to actually lose to this guy,’ because behind the scenes, you don’t want that fight.”
For now, Topuria remains on the sidelines. His eventual return could put those claims to the test, especially if the former champion finds himself matched with another elite lightweight.