Ilia Topuria has been urged to make good on his meant light-weight transfer in a debut conflict with former champion, Charles Oliveira earlier than difficult the incumbent gold holder, Islam Makhachev — by the Russian’s supervisor and agent, Rizvan Magomedov.
Topuria, who is ready to vacate the undisputed featherweight champion only a 12 months after his divisional reign started, will see his championship on the road at UFC 314 in April, with former opponent, Alexander Volkanovski vying for the belt towards the surging Brazilian contender, Diego Lopes.
And linked with a direct title conflict with light-weight champion, Makhachev — probably as quickly as UFC 317 in June throughout a large occasion on Worldwide Combat Week, Topuria is planning a shot at 155lbs from the get-go in his new division.
Nevertheless, in line with the above-mentioned, Magomedov — Russian supervisor to pound-for-pound primary, Makhachev, Georgian-Spaniard ace, Topuria ought to first tackle former gold holder, Oliveira in a light-weight title eliminator in his debut at 155lbs.
Ilia Topuria urged to combat Charles Oliveira in light-weight debut conflict
“Topuria vs Dustin/Charles contender fight, to prove he’s legit lightweight,” Rizvan Magomedov posted on his X account. “So we don’t have to defeat another ‘small featherweight’ We need big fight that make sense for everyone. We already gave chances to featherweight champ that was reigning for long time.”
Topuria vs Dustin/Charles contender combat, to show he’s legit light-weight. So we don’t must defeat one other ‘small featherweight’ We want huge combat that make sense for everybody.
We already gave possibilities to featherweight champ that was reigning for very long time.
— Rizvan Magomedov (@Rizvan_RM) February 20, 2025
Efficiently defending his featherweight crown simply as soon as throughout his reign, Topuria turned the primary fighter in fight sports activities handy former gold holder, Max Holloway a stoppage loss through strikes of their grudge match at UFC 308 late final 12 months.
Himself returning to winning-ways at UFC 309 the next month in a co-headliner at Madison Sq. Backyard, Oliveira turned in a one-sided unanimous resolution win over Michael Chandler within the pair’s 5 spherical rematch in New York.
