Not everyone seems to be satisfied that Ilia Topuria’s voyage into the light-weight division will final.
On Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White introduced that Topuria had formally vacated his featherweight title and can be shifting as much as 155, presumably for a future combat with the division’s reigning champion, Islam Makhachev. Consequently, former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski will meet surging contender Diego Lopes at UFC 314 for the vacated 145-pound strap when the promotion heads again to Miami on Saturday, April 12.
“Also Topuria will be back at featherweight at the end of the year I think,” Murphy wrote on X.
Does Ilia Topuria stand an opportunity towards Islam makhachev?
After all, all of that rides on how Topuria does when he inevitably steps contained in the Octagon towards Islam Makhachev.
No official particulars have been launched so far as when or the place that combat will go down, however Ariel Helwani mentioned that the UFC might attempt to ship on the extremely anticipated showdown as early as Worldwide Struggle Week in late June.
Topuria and Makhachev are for sure two of essentially the most expert fighters within the UFC as we speak, however there’s no denying that the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ may have an enormous measurement benefit. Many would additionally argue that Makhachev may have a determined benefit on the mat whereas Topuria could also be a bit extra foreboding on the toes than Khabib Nurmagomedov’s protege.
Nonetheless, Makhachev has confirmed himself to be greater than able to KO’ing a number of the greatest names within the sport, together with Alexander Volkanovski—the identical man Topuria beat to assert the featherweight title in February 2024.
