Ilia Topuria will bid to turn out to be a two-weight champion against Islam Makhachev later this 12 months.
The featherweight champion won his first belt by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 last February 2024.
Ilia Topuria then spectacularly defended it by putting Max Holloway to sleep at UFC 308 in October.
Now he’s decided to maneuver up the lightweight and fight the UFC’s pound-for-pound primary fighter.
Dana White proclaims Iliam Topuria’s decision
On Wednesday evening, Dana White went live to tell the tale Instagram to announce a slew of massive fight news.
The UFC boss most notably revealed that Topuria is ready to vacate his title, which will probably be up for grabs when former champion Alexander Volkanovski takes on streaking contender Diego Lopes within the UFC 314 primary event on April 12.
“Topuria has felt like he’s done all he can in that division, and he looks like he’s cemented his legacy, and his body cannot make the burden anymore,” White said.
“So Topuria will probably be moving as much as 155lbs and will probably be vacating the featherweight title.
As soon as the primary punch is thrown in [Volkanovski vs. Lopes], the title is vacated.
“We are going to announce what Topuria’s next fight will probably be once we get it done.”
Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria is reportedly within the works
Immediately after White broke the news of Topuria’s decision, Ariel Helwani claimed that a fight between the 15-0 superstar and Islam Makhachev was already within the works.
The veteran MMA reporter believes the 2 men could meet at International Fight Week in June.
“The plan is for Ilia Topuria to fight Islam Makhachev later this 12 months, I’m told. Perhaps as soon as IFW,” Helwani tweeted. “Lots to digest and dissect. Will upload a fast reax video to the channel shortly.”
Makhachev is fresh off a fast submission win over UFC 311 late-replacement opponent Renato Moicano.
There’s no obvious number-one contender at lightweight immediately, but Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protege has expressed an interest in facing Justin Gaethje, provided he gets by Dan Hooker at UFC 313 on March 8.
Nonetheless, if the plan is for Makhachev to defend in June, there’s no likelihood Gaethje will probably be ready by then.
Topuria is smart and is arguably considered one of the most important fights White can possibly make in 2025.
