Ilia Topuria, the former UFC featherweight champion, is making a significant move in his career by vacating the 145-pound title to ascend to the lightweight division. This bold decision comes as Topuria prepares to challenge for a second divisional title at UFC 317, scheduled for June 28. However, he will not face the opponent he initially desired.
Topuria expressed a strong interest in battling Islam Makhachev, the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter and former lightweight champion. In a surprising turn, Makhachev recently relinquished his lightweight title to shift to the welterweight division, citing similar reasons for his weight class change. This situation led Topuria to label Makhachev a “hypocrite,” criticizing the Dagestani fighter for abandoning their potential matchup.
In a press conference, Topuria voiced his frustration, stating, “(Islam) is the biggest hypocrite I've ever seen. He said he didn't want to give me the opportunity because I was the little guy, and now the little guy is the one looking for the same opportunity I was looking for. How are you going to criticize my decision when you're doing the same thing right now? I've never seen more hypocrisy in my life.”
Despite his disappointment, Topuria is not keen on pursuing a fight with Makhachev in the welterweight division. He emphasized, “Why chase him? If someone runs away, you don't have to bully them. If he runs away, we have to let him get away. I don't want to fight people who don't want to fight me either.”
Now, Topuria will set his sights on a new challenge as he prepares to face Charles Oliveira, the former lightweight champion, in the main event at UFC 317. This matchup presents a tremendous opportunity for Topuria to etch his name in the history books as he competes for the vacant lightweight title.
On the other hand, Islam Makhachev's future looks bright as he is also set to make waves in the welterweight division. He is expected to face Jack Della Maddalena, the newly crowned welterweight champion, later this year. This upcoming fight promises to be a significant test for Makhachev as he navigates the new challenges this weight class presents.
UFC 317 on June 28 will undoubtedly be a must-watch event. With Ilia Topuria aiming for the lightweight championship against a formidable opponent in Charles Oliveira, the stakes are high. As Topuria navigates this pivotal point in his career, fans will eagerly anticipate whether he can secure the title and establish himself as a dominant force in the UFC's lightweight division.
