“I know I am way better than anyone in my division and the next one.” Ilia Topuria‘s confidence knows no bounds. After solidifying his reign as the featherweight champion with a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, and defending the belt against Max Holloway at UFC 308, “El Matador” has firmly established himself as a dominant force. But Topuria isn’t content with just one belt, he’s got his sights set on lightweight gold.
But with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev already booked to fight Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 in January, what’s next for the undefeated sensation? Turns out, Topuria has a name in mind,”Since Islam is going to fight in January and he is not going to be ready for April or May, I’d like to fight the No.1 contender right now, who is Charles Oliveira,” Topuria revealed during an interview with El Partidazo de Cope.
Rather than taking the traditional route of climbing through the ranks, Topuria is aiming for a shortcut. By targeting the former lightweight champion and current #2 contender, Topuria could potentially leapfrog the competition. A victory over ‘du Bronx’ would put him in prime position to challenge for the lightweight title, without the need to navigate the deep waters of the division.
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While this decision seems to be a bold one, considering the lightweight division’s depth, Charles Oliveira, the former lightweight kingpin, has his own perspective. Speaking before UFC 309, ‘do Bronx’ addressed the idea of Topuria moving up. “Ilia is a tough fighter – someone who talks the talk and walks the walk,” Oliveira admitted. “I think that what happens is a lot of fighters, whenever they get the belt, they have that belt wrapped around their waist, they start thinking up and down in the divisions… This is a very tough division.”
Oliveira, fresh off a unanimous decision win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309, has expressed his intention to sit cage-side for Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan, with plans to challenge the winner. However, the prospect of facing the featherweight champ might force him to rethink his timeline.
Is this the end of Ilia Topuria at Featherweight?
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If ‘El Matador’ moves to lightweight, the featherweight division will lose its reigning king. When asked if his fight with Max Holloway at UFC 308 might have been his last as a featherweight, Topuria hinted at a major shift. “Maybe there’s change coming. Yes, very likely.”
A potential departure leaves a void in the division. Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes have already emerged as potential contenders for the vacant title, while fighters like Movsar Evloev and Arnold Allen could step up to claim the spotlight. For the promotion’s head aka UFC CEO Dana White, this transition could mean business opportunities galore. From high-profile featherweight title fights to blockbuster matchups in the lightweight division, Topuria’s potential move could shake up two divisions at once.
Oliveira acknowledged the danger Topuria poses. “He’s doing things. I can see why he would want to challenge people. He would be, obviously, a tough fight.” Still, he warned the featherweight champ about the perils of entering lightweight without caution. “But I think you have to be very careful when you’re coming up to lightweight because this is tough.“
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So, is Ilia Topuria ready to make history by becoming a two-division champion? Or is the lightweight division’s talent pool too deep even for him? With Islam Makhachev tied up until mid-2025 and Oliveira potentially willing to step into the octagon, Topuria’s next move could define his legacy.
What do you think? Should Topuria go all in at lightweight, or does the featherweight division still hold unfinished business for the UFC’s rising star? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Can Ilia Topuria really dominate lightweight, or is he biting off more than he can chew?
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Can Ilia Topuria really dominate lightweight, or is he biting off more than he can chew?
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