For a lot of people, achieving your dreams means making certain sacrifices and compromises. As if sacrifices and compromises weren’t part of the journey itself, for fighters, the dream is to compete in the UFC. What about fighters who’ve made it to the UFC? Winning a belt? What about for UFC champions? Double-gold, right? That’s what Ilia Topuria wanted, especially after winning the featherweight championship. As soon as he became the 145-lb champion, he began making a case to compete for the lightweight title. And it seems like he’s getting his wish. But remember our earlier point of sacrifices and compromises? Yeah, ‘El Matador’ had to make a sacrifice to go up and compete for another belt.

As Dana White confirmed, “Topuria will be moving up to 155 pounds and will be vacating the featherweight title.” Yes, Ilia Topuria will have to give up his featherweight strap to go up a weight class. This decision stands in stark contrast to McGregor’s treatment, as he was allowed to keep both belts. Even Alexander Volkanovski’s situation was similar, where he was granted multiple chances to challenge for the lightweight title without relinquishing his featherweight crown. But for ‘El Matador’, the road is longer and more winding compared to McGregor and Volkanovski.

With Ilia Topuria stepping away from the division, the featherweight landscape is set to shift. Ranked #3 contender Diego Lopes is now scheduled to face Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314 in April for the vacant title. Speaking to Papa Legaspi, Lopes revealed, “They [Dana White and UFC] were very clear with us. They didn’t say they’re against fighters moving up in weight. No, but if you want to go up a division, you have to vacate your title. That’s the policy for all champions considering a move.” This decision sends a strong message to the new generation of fighters hoping to replicate Conor McGregor’s two-division reign.

It also raises questions about the future of Islam Makhachev, who has openly expressed his intention to move up to welterweight. If he follows through, he may face the same dilemma—an opportunity at a second title, but at the cost of his current championship.

So does this mean that the era of champions holding two belts at a time is coming to an end? We, kind of, think so. It makes sense because Conor McGregor is the greatest example of why the UFC would pull the plug on allowing champs to do so. ‘The Notorious’ held both belts but failed to defend either. And it didn’t stop there as he began asking for a stake in the UFC, and went off to box Floyd Mayweather. His absence caused a lot of confusion and clutter in both the 145-lb and 155-lb divisions.

But through all of this, ‘El Matador’ seems unfazed. After all, his first title defense saw him KO arguably the greatest featherweight of all time, Max Holloway. With his talk of becoming the UFC’s first three-weight division, it just shows the level of confidence he has. Giving up (not losing) one belt won’t cause a chink in his armor. With Ilia Topuria now set to make his move to the lightweight division, the question arises—who will stand across from him in his next fight?

UFC Rumor: Who is Dana White’s opponent choice for Ilia Topuria’s 155lb debut?

In 2016, Conor McGregor moved up to the lightweight division for a title shot while still holding the featherweight title. While his big for double gold did not come immediately, he eventually got to hold both belts at once, becoming the first simultaneous double-champ in UFC history. It’s true that McGregor didn’t immediately compete for the lightweight belt upon winning the 145-lb strap. However, that’s only because his fight against the then-champion Rafael Dos Anjos fell through, and Dana White paired him up against Nate Diaz in a welterweight bout. But in the end, he still got to hold both straps side-by-side.

But for Ilia Topuria, the path seems a little different. Yes, he can go up a weight class, but no, he can’t take his featherweight strap with him. Also, it doesn’t seem like the UFC and Dana White want to pair him with the champion just yet. Just like other contenders, the former featherweight champion will have to prove himself before he fights for the lightweight strap.

As reported by Headclash MMA, Dustin Poirier is set to face Ilia Topuria in what may be Poirier’s “last dance” at UFC 317 during UFC International Fight Week in June. ‘The Diamond’ has already hinted at his retirement plans. With rumors of the Poirier vs. Topuria fight gaining traction, coach Javier Mendez of Team Khabib (American Kickboxing Academy) shared his thoughts on a potential showdown between ‘The Diamond’ and ‘El Matador’ during a recent appearance on Submission Radio.

“Yeah, I definitely do [think Ilia can beat Poirier]. I’ve said it many times that I think he has the best boxing in the whole UFC across all weight divisions. I believe his boxing is the crispest of everyone, but he also has great wrestling… His mental game is strong, and he’s undefeated… I slightly favor him, but I favor him,” Mendez explained. However, with the rumored Dustin Poirier vs. Ilia Topuria fight at UFC 317, set to take place in Nevada, Las Vegas, a potential complication arises in that Poirier has already expressed a desire to retire in his hometown of New Orleans.

What’s your take on Dana White’s latest move to close the double-title champion status in the UFC? Do you think it will demotivate fighters from giving their 100% in pursuit of greatness, as seen with Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Henry Cejudo? Drop your opinion below.