Now-former undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria is concentrating on an enormous — long-mooted matchup for his light-weight divisional bow later this yr, with stories claiming a pairing with pound-for-pound primary, Islam Makhachev is being floated for UFC 317 later this summer time throughout Worldwide Struggle Week.
Topuria, who most lately featured at UFC 308 final October, is ready to vacate his undisputed featherweight champion with a view to a light-weight division transfer — with former-foe, Alexander Volkanovski set to tackle the surging Brazilian star, Diego Lopes for the newly-vacated belt.
As for Makhachev, the present undisputed light-weight kingpin headlined UFC 311 again in January, handing over a dominant opening spherical D’Arce choke submission win over short-notice alternative, Renato Moicano on only a days’ discover in California.
Ilia Topuria planning UFC 317 title battle with Islam Makhachev
And as per a report from Uncrowned reporter, Ariel Helwani on social media tonight, Topuria is lining up an instantaneous title cost in opposition to Islam Makhachev on the light-weight restrict — probably as quickly as June in the principle occasion of UFC 317.
The plan is for Ilia Topuria to battle Islam Makhachev later this yr, I’m instructed,” Helwani posted on X. “Perhaps as soon as IFW. Lots to digest and dissect.”
The plan is for Ilia Topuria to battle Islam Makhachev later this yr, I am instructed. Maybe as quickly as IFW.
Heaps to digest and dissect. Will add a fast reax video to the channel shortly.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 20, 2025
And tonight, while saying a slew of fights for the upcoming UFC 314 card, UFC CEO, Dana White revealed Topuria is not capable of make the featherweight restrict as he grows older — and is ready to maneuver to the light-weight restrict subsequent.
“(Ilia) Topuria has felt like he’s done all that he can in that division,” White defined. “His body cannot make the weight . We will announce what Topuria’s next fight will be when we get it done.”
Successful undisputed featherweight spoils again in February of final yr, Georgian-Spaniard finisher, Topuria made mild work of the beforehand talked about, Volkanovski, ending the New South Wales native with a shocking second spherical knockout win.
