Ilia Topuria decided to set his sights firmly on the lightweight division belt now that he has won the featherweight title. However, it seems like ‘El Matador’ is in a tug-of-war. Islam Makhachev does not entertain the idea of fighting Topuria unless he fights a top-ranked lightweight contender. And who is the closest man to that? The #2-ranked lightweight, Charles Oliveira. But the thing is, even Oliveira might not give Topuria what he wants as per former UFC fighter and title contender Chael Sonnen. 

According to the analyst, Charles Oliveira won’t budge unless Topuria can come to the table with a UFC gold offer. In a recent Good Guy/ Bad Guy episode ‘The American Gangster’ recounted what Oliveira said to him. “I will only fight Topuria if he wins the belt. This is my weight class, I hold a higher ranking, and I’ve been a champion before. This guy is all talk. If he wants to fight me he needs to come up, get the belt, put the belt on the line and I’ll take him on.”

‘Do Bronx’ defeated Michael Chandler twice, once at UFC 262 and the other at UFC 309. The first time he beat Chandler, he won the lightweight title. On the flip side, Topuria knocked out both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway to win and defend the featherweight belt respectively. But after defending his strap, the 145-lb champ decided he couldn’t make the weight, and now wants to move up to challenge for the lightweight title.

Now that Topuria is here with another hurdle to cross, Oliveira has sent a stern warning. During a recent interview with Oddspedia, he said, “Whoever I get told to fight, I’m going to fight. I have nothing but respect for Ilia Topuria, but this is lightweight.”  True but, didn’t ‘Do Bronx’ also move up from featherweight? According to the Brazilian, Lightweight is not easy and he said he could knock Topuria out. On the other hand, Topuria is in a no man’s land situation as Islam Makhachev has drawn a boundary line.

Islam Makhachev won’t budge from his decision

“Let him move up and earn his shot, and we’ll fight,” is what the Dagestani champ said after hearing Topuria’s demands. Naturally, most of the UFC world is invested in what is going on including AKA head coach Javier Mendez. Team Khabib’s coach firmly declared, If that’s who they [UFC] offer if that’s what is being worked out and is on the table for Islam, then that’s what Islam is going to do.”

Even though Makhachev might not want to fight Topuria just yet Mendez is ‘Dana White knows best’ all the way. But the tug of war continued as Makhachev did not move from his ultimatum. As per the update of Home of Fight, “Islam Makhachev still thinks Ilia Topuria needs to earn a lightweight title shot.”

Right now the Lightweight division looks like a Gladiator fight event in Rome with one winner waiting for his next prey. Several sharks hover around in the water though with  Dustin Poirier contemplating his final dance, while Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Oliveira wait to pounce on the title strap. Now  Dana White is the only person who can solve this limbo in the lightweight division as Javier Mendez pointed out earlier.  So what do you think Topuria’s fate holds? Share your thoughts in the comments below.