In the world of UFC, rivalries often extend beyond the octagon, spilling into interviews, social media, and unexpected crossovers with influencers.

One such hilarious yet intense moment unfolded during a livestream with the Nelk Boys, where undefeated UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria reacted strongly upon learning that one of the popular YouTubers preferred his fierce rival, Islam Makhachev.

The incident quickly went viral, showcasing Topuria’s fiery personality and his unwavering confidence against any perceived slight toward his dominance in mixed martial arts.

Ilia Topuria, the Georgian-Spanish fighter known as “El Matador,” has risen to superstardom in the UFC with an impeccable record and knockout power that has silenced doubters.

Having captured the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and later moving up to lightweight to defeat Charles Oliveira in spectacular fashion, Topuria became a two-division champion.

His aggressive style, sharp boxing, and trash-talking prowess have drawn comparisons to Conor McGregor, but Topuria insists he’s carving his own path as the new generation of MMA stars.

The Nelk Boys, a group of Canadian-American pranksters and podcasters led by Kyle Forgeard, along with members like Aaron “Steiny” Steinberg and Salim Sirur, have built a massive following through their Full Send Podcast.

Known for wild stunts, celebrity interviews, and unfiltered content, they’ve become favorites among UFC fighters and even UFC president Dana White. The group has hosted numerous MMA stars, discussing everything from fight predictions to personal lives, often injecting humor and controversy into the mix.

During a trip to Spain in July 2025, the Nelk Boys linked up with Topuria for a livestream that combined training, sparring, and casual banter. What started as light-hearted fun escalated when the conversation turned to favorite fighters.

One member, reportedly Salim, jokingly admitted that Islam Makhachev was his top pick to watch. Makhachev, the Dagestani grappling maestro and former longtime lightweight kingpin, has long been a point of contention for Topuria, who has repeatedly called him out for a superfight while accusing him of avoiding the matchup.

Topuria’s reaction was immediate and playful yet intense—he didn’t hold back in the gym. The session turned into a sparring showcase where Topuria dominated the Nelk Boys, dropping them multiple times with his devastating punches.

Videos circulating on social media showed Steiny getting floored by a sharp right hand, Kyle Forgeard eating a jaw-rattling shot that sent him stumbling, and Salim attempting takedowns only to end up on the mat himself after body shots and counters.

Topuria quipped during the chaos, mocking their attempts by comparing them to Makhachev’s style, emphasizing his superiority in stand-up exchanges.

The viral clips captured Topuria’s knockout power in a fun, non-competitive setting, but they also highlighted the underlying rivalry. Fans loved it, with many commenting that Topuria was living out their fantasy of seeing the often-criticized Nelk Boys get humbled by a real elite fighter.

The phrase “Ilia Topuria goes crazy” trended briefly as highlights spread across platforms like X, Reddit, and YouTube.

This moment wasn’t just about sparring; it tied directly into the ongoing saga between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev. Topuria has been vocal about wanting to prove he’s the pound-for-pound best by defeating Makhachev, claiming the Dagestani’s wrestling-heavy approach is “boring” and that he would easily knock him out.

Makhachev, on the other hand, has dismissed the hype at times, focusing on his own division while occasionally entertaining the idea of a catchweight or higher-weight clash.

The Nelk Boys’ preference for Makhachev stemmed from their appreciation for his dominant reigns and technical mastery, but admitting it in front of Topuria was like poking the bear.

The champion’s “crazy” response—unleashing his hands in sparring—was a light-hearted way to assert dominance, turning a simple opinion into a memorable beatdown.

It also fueled fan debates: Who would win in a real fight between Topuria and Makhachev? Topuria’s striking versus Makhachev’s grappling has been labeled as one of the most intriguing potential matchups in UFC history.

Beyond the gym antics, the livestream touched on other topics, including Topuria’s ambitions in boxing, his views on controversial podcasts, and even personal stories. But the Makhachev mention stole the show, amplifying the rivalry narrative.

Social media exploded with reactions, from UFC fans cheering Topuria’s power to others laughing at the Nelk Boys’ misfortune.

Ilia Topuria’s career trajectory has been nothing short of phenomenal. Starting his UFC journey in 2020, he quickly amassed wins over tough opponents, culminating in his featherweight title capture. His move to lightweight solidified his status as a dual-champion, with knockouts that showcased his precision and power.

Known for his confidence bordering on arrogance, Topuria thrives on callouts and mind games, often predicting his victories with eerie accuracy.

The Islam Makhachev rivalry adds another layer to Topuria’s story. Makhachev, trained under Khabib Nurmagomedov, dominated lightweight for years with suffocating ground control and improving striking. Though paths haven’t crossed in the cage yet, verbal jabs have kept the tension alive.

Topuria’s sparring session with the Nelk Boys served as a proxy statement: Don’t underestimate my hands, even against fans of wrestlers like Makhachev.

This crossover event underscores how MMA has evolved, blending combat sports with influencer culture. The Nelk Boys’ platform brings fighters to younger audiences, humanizing them while occasionally leading to viral gold like this.

For Topuria, it was another opportunity to display his charisma and skill, reminding everyone why he’s considered a future legend.

In retrospect, the moment when Ilia Topuria “went crazy” over a Nelk Boys member liking Islam Makhachev wasn’t true anger but competitive fire wrapped in entertainment. It highlighted the passion driving UFC rivalries and gave fans unforgettable content.

As Topuria continues his reign, calls for a Makhachev showdown grow louder— a fight that could define an era.

Whether it’s in the octagon or a livestream gym, Ilia Topuria proves he’s always ready to back up his words. The Nelk Boys learned that the hard way, and MMA fans couldn’t be happier watching it unfold.

This incident remains one of the funniest and most talked-about crossovers in recent UFC history, blending humor, hype, and a hint of what a Topuria-Makhachev clash might look like.