Lower than 50 days faraway from his first featherweight title protection, Ilia Topuria is able to transfer on.
In October, ‘El Matador’ viciously KO’d the UFC’s baddest motherf*cker Max Holloway in Abu Dhabi and gave the impression to be on monitor for a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski in 2025. Nonetheless, that will now not be the case after Topuria stated in no unsure phrases that he’s formally finished competing within the weight class.
“Sure, for certain. Undoubtedly sure,” Topuria informed the El Partidazo de Cadena Cope podcast when requested if the Holloway combat was his final time competing at 145.
It’s just a little shocking to listen to that Topuria is already plotting an exit from the load class with contemporary matchups in opposition to top-five-ranked contenders like Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev out there.
As a substitute, ‘El Matador’ seems to have his sights set on turning into a two-division champion earlier than strolling away from the group in a number of quick years.
“We have to discuss it and check out my future, however for me, it’s very clear how I wish to do it,” Topuria stated. “I’d like to maneuver as much as the following weight class, and since Islam [Makhachev] is the champion combating in January, and he gained’t be prepared for April or Could, I’d prefer to combat in opposition to the No. 1 contender proper now, who’s Charles Oliveira… I’m 27; I hope to be out by 30.”
Ilia Topuria says he is transferring as much as light-weight
Interviewer: “Is it doable that we’ve got already seen your final featherweight combat?”
Ilia: “Sure, for certain.”
Interviewer: “You’re transferring to light-weight”
*Ilia nods*
(by way of. @partidazocope)pic.twitter.com/1i5V4PIb79
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 9, 2024
Islam Makhachev not taken with a combat with ilia topuria
Sadly for Ilia Topuria, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ doesn’t appear too taken with combating him.
“We’ll combat if we’ve got to,” Makhachev informed MatchTV. “When it comes to my combating profession, I’m not taken with combating Topuria in any respect. He’s in a special weight class. I’ll beat him, and what’s going to that do for me? I gained’t win one other belt. Everybody will as soon as once more say that I beat a Featherweight. That’s it. However, if individuals actually wish to see him lose, then we are able to do it.”
After securing a fifth-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier in June, Makahachev can be again in motion on January 18 to defend his light-weight title in opposition to the division’s No. 1 contender, Arman Tsarukyan.
The 2 beforehand met in April 2019 when Tsarukyan was making his UFC debut. Makhachev gained that bout by way of unanimous choice in the course of what has turned out to be a 14-fight win streak relationship again to his third look with the promotion almost a decade in the past.
