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. Nevertheless, which will now not be the case after Topuria stated in no unsure phrases that he’s formally performed competing within the weight class.
“Sure, for certain. Positively sure,” Topuria instructed the El Partidazo de Cadena Cope podcast when requested if the Holloway struggle was his final time competing at 145.
It’s slightly shocking to listen to that Topuria is already plotting an exit from the burden class with recent matchups in opposition to top-five-ranked contenders like Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev obtainable.
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 just a few 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 preventing in January, and he gained’t be prepared for April or Could, I’d prefer to struggle in opposition to the No. 1 contender proper now, who’s Charles Oliveira… I’m 27; I hope to be out by 30.”
Islam Makhachev not concerned with a struggle with ilia topuria
Sadly for Ilia Topuria, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ doesn’t appear too concerned with preventing him.
“We’ll struggle if we now have to,” Makhachev instructed MatchTV. “By way of my preventing profession, I’m not concerned with preventing Topuria in any respect. He’s in a distinct weight class. I’ll beat him, and what is 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 might 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 determination 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.
