The ink has barely dried on Ilia Topuria’s first 145lbs title defense, but already the wind is carrying whispers of bigger prey at lightweight. ‘El Matador’ stands at a crossroads that feels less like a career move and more like destiny’s call – his eyes fixed on the shark-infested waters of 155lbs. The speculation ended this week when Dana White, during an uncharacteristically candid Instagram Live session, lifted the curtain on Topuria’s ambitious ascent. “Ilia Topuria feels like he’s done all he can in that division. He believes he has cemented his legacy, and his body simply can’t make the weight anymore.” White revealed.

The featherweight kingpin’s declaration feels less like abandoning a throne and more like a conqueror seeking new kingdoms. In a division where Islam Makhachev reigns supreme and killers like Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Arman Tsarukyan lurk in every corner, Topuria’s arrival promises to add another fascinating wrinkle to an already stacked deck. Now, as Topuria looks to follow in the footsteps of his former idol, The question isn’t just who’s next – it’s who dares to welcome the juggernaut into the lightweight colosseum.

According to UFC veteran Daniel Cormier, the most likely opponent is the division’s #2-ranked fighter, Charles Oliveira. Speaking on his YouTube channel, DC laid out the reasoning behind this matchup: “You match up Topuria and Oliveira, and they fight relatively soon. Islam is in Ramadan, and they don’t want to fight during Ramadan. He doesn’t want to train during Ramadan. Obviously, you guys know that from sunrise to sunset, these guys can’t eat, can’t drink, and can’t take in anything. So training is almost impossible.”

“That delays Makhachev’s return until after Ramadan, right? It looks like he’ll be ready to fight by October in Abu Dhabi. If that’s the case, you set up Ilia versus Oliveira sometime before then,” DC added. With ‘Do Bronx’ already in the conversation, speculation intensified when UFC insider Jon Anik weighed in.

Dismissing the possibility of an Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria fight, Anik suggested a different scenario. “It’s going to be a non-championship setting against either Charles Oliveira or Dustin Poirier at 155,” he stated, reinforcing rumors that had been circulating in various MMA reports

The buzz surrounding this potential fight grew even louder when a member of ‘Team Khabib’—one of Makhachev’s coaches—shared his thoughts on the rumored Dustin Poirier vs. Ilia Topuria bout. Let’s take a closer look.

Javier Mendez’s verdict on a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Dustin Poirier bout

“Imagine a fight between me and Dustin Poirier. I love that, dog,” Ilia Topuria said, discussing the potential of his lightweight return against the American, who is also seeking a “legends only” opponent for his “last dance.” It’s a classic UFC matchup—a veteran versus a rising star. The UFC has historically paired retiring veterans with up-and-coming talents, such as Michael Bisping, who ended his career after losing to Kelvin Gastelum. So, why not Dustin Poirier?

The speculation surrounding this fight has gained significant traction, catching the attention of Team Khabib’s coach, Javier Mendez. Speaking to Submission Radio, the AKA head honcho weighed in on the potential matchup, stating, “Yeah, I definitely think Ilia can beat Poirier. I’ve said it many times—I believe he has the best boxing in the entire UFC across all weight divisions. His boxing is the crispest, but he also has great wrestling. His mental game is strong, and he’s undefeated. I slightly favor him, but I favor him.”

However, there’s a major hurdle standing in the way of this fight. Some reports suggest the Poirier vs. Ilia Topuria matchup could be scheduled for UFC 317 during International Fight Week in Las Vegas. But Dustin Poirier has made it clear that he wants his final fight to take place in New Orleans. With this in mind, all eyes are now on Dana White & Co. to announce ‘El Matador’s next move. One thing’s for sure—the wait is sure to feel long. Stay tuned for updates.