“They [Dana White and UFC] were very clear with us…if you want to go up a division, you have to vacate your title. That’s the policy for all champions considering a move,” said Diego Lopes last month. His statement confirmed that Dana White is not keen on granting fighters, such as Conor McGregor, the privilege of holding multiple belts simultaneously. In a move that rattled the MMA world, Dana White and his team recently announced that featherweight champion Ilia Topuria would be moving up to the 155 lbs division to challenge reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for a second title.

This bombshell shook the lightweight division, prompting fans to question whether Ilia Topuria would receive an immediate title shot or fight a top contender first. Many speculated that Dana White had made an agreement with ‘El Matador’ for a ‘champ vs champ’ fight, a belief further backed by former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub in a recent YouTube video. Schaub highlighted that Ilia Topuria wouldn’t have vacated his featherweight title without securing a guaranteed shot at the lightweight belt, saying, “You think Ilia just said, ‘I’ll give up the belt and face anyone’? No way. I’m certain he made that move knowing he’s getting a shot at Islam.”

Diego Lima, long-time coach of former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, who spoke to Alvaro Colmenro recently echoed this sentiment. Lima suggested that Ilia Topuria must have had prior negotiations with Dana White and the UFC before vacating his featherweight title, saying, “[Ilia] Topuria hasn’t vacated the featherweight title without some compromise, without some advanced negotiation. I think Topuria only moves up to fight for the belt.”

Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria has rapidly ascended as a rising star in the UFC, with many drawing parallels between his career path and that of Conor McGregor. Some even point to the tattoo similarities between the two, viewing the Georgian Spanish as the next “good” version of the Irishman. Unlike McGregor, who never defended his featherweight title, ‘El Matador’ comes off a dominant victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308 last year, where he broke Holloway’s tough chin, effectively pushing Holloway to the 155 lbs division.

With Ilia Topuria’s future now seemingly secured with Dana White & Co., UFC insider Michael Bisping believes that a fight between Topuria and Islam Makhachev at 155 lbs is the next major matchup on the horizon. Let’s take a closer look.

Michael Bisping’s perspective on the Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev matchup

The UFC’s lightweight division is widely regarded as one of the deepest and most competitive in the promotion, with a slew of contenders vying for a shot at the reigning champion. So why would Dana White give Ilia Topuria an immediate title shot? According to Michael Bisping, the answer lies in the immense market potential both fighters bring to the table. The Gorgian- Spanish is quickly becoming the new face of the UFC, much like Conor McGregor once was, while Islam Makhachev, a seasoned and stacked fighter, has cultivated a dedicated fan base akin to that of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

 Fans believe an Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev fight could generate the same kind of excitement and global appeal as McGregor & ‘The Eagle’ did. Bisping, who discussed this topic on his YouTube channel, pointed out how Dana White has a keen eye for capitalizing on major matchups. He believes Topuria deserves a shot at the current champ, even if it means jumping ahead of contenders like Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan.

“Realistically, there’s a ton of options for Ilia Topuria, but the reality is Islam Makhachev has to fight somebody soon, and so does Ilia Topuria,” Bisping said. “Justin Gaethje wants to fight for the belt, but he really doesn’t care right now. So realistically, any of the guys I just mentioned – Islam, Arman, Charles, Justin – could be next. But if I had to bet, I’d say it’s going to be Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria.”

What’s your take on the comments from Charles Oliveira’s coach? Do you believe Ilia Topuria is the right opponent for Makhachev, or do you think fans would rather see a different contender like Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje get the shot? Share your thoughts below!