Morning Report: Ilia Topuria planning lightweight move soon, wants Charles Oliveira first

Ilia Topuria’s title run has seen him topple two featherweight legends and that is likely to be sufficient for him, for now.

The UFC’s reigning champion at 145 kilos appeared on the Spanish program El Partidazo de COPE, the place he declared {that a} transfer up in weight is imminent. Topuria has spoken earlier than about desirous to struggle UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev, a notion that Makhachev not too long ago dismissed.

Nonetheless, Topuria is keen to earn his shot, and he has a reputation in thoughts for his first light-weight opponent: Former champion Charles Oliveira.

“I used to be speaking about Miami, I don’t actually know,” Topuria stated. “I don’t have an thought as a result of I nonetheless must have a few conversations, to speak about it and see how they see my future. However kind of, I’ve it fairly clear how I need it to be and an concept that I need.

“I wish to go as much as the following division and since Islam, the champion in that division, goes to struggle in January and he’s not going to remain—That’s, he’s not going to be prepared for April, Could, I wish to struggle with the No. 1 contender that division has proper now. That’s Charles Oliveira.”

Makhachev is presently scheduled for the fourth protection of his title in a rematch in opposition to Arman Tsarukyan in the primary occasion of UFC 311 on Jan. 18. He twice efficiently defended his title in opposition to then-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, knocking him out with a spectacular head kick of their second struggle that Volkanovski accepted on brief discover as a alternative for Oliveira.

For Topuria, it’s not nearly chasing a second title, however now not having to endure a grueling weight lower right down to 145 kilos.

“Perhaps it’s time for a change,” Topuria stated. “Now it’s time to take pleasure in, take pleasure in a bit of extra of what I do. Not care a lot concerning the weight lower. … Think about, I made my UFC debut in 2020, and began rating at featherweight. Like, you get your place within the rating, so that you’ve earned your rating in that weight after which in case you change, you lose all of the work you’ve accomplished inside the rankings. So that you keep there, however 4 years cross, you evolve, you develop, your physique develops extra and it prices increasingly to chop weight.”

Topuria didn’t rule out competing at featherweight once more, saying he’ll make the lower if the suitable opponent emerges from the pack. In the mean time, that seems to be the undefeated Movsar Evloev, who improved to 9-0 within the UFC with a choice win over Aljamain Sterling this previous.

Although the 2 have been as soon as booked to struggle in 2022 earlier than Evloev withdrew with an harm, it doesn’t sound like Topuria is fascinated about revisiting that matchup in the intervening time. He has one UFC light-weight struggle beneath his belt, a knockout of Jai Herbert in March 2022, and proper now he’s wanting to see how he’ll fare at 155 kilos once more.

“I have already got a UFC struggle at light-weight, it was the one in London,” Topuria stated. “The reality is that I felt tremendous snug with the method, as a result of the burden cuts don’t have an effect on you, it provides you the chance to remain a bit of extra energetic. As a result of in case you get rid of that half, then it’s going to a reasonably enjoyable journey.”

Evaluation. The MMA Preventing crew provides you the complete rundown of the largest takeaways from UFC 310.

Ow. Ciryl Gane has X-rays to again up the declare that he injured his foot within the first spherical of his struggle with Alexander Volkov.

Additionally? If Daniel Cormier is to be believed, Shavkat Rakhmonov entered UFC 310 with a compromised knee.

Who? Kamaru Usman fires again at Ian Machado Garry’s declare that he didn’t need that smoke.

Why? Dennis Buzukja provides his facet of the Merab Dvalishvili fan altercation, which noticed Buzukja throw fingers with stated fan.

The Finish? Aljamain Sterling plans to have an extended discuss with the UFC about his future plans, which might embody retirement.

Mighty Mouse breaks it down.

Joaquin Buckley sits down with 2Straws.

Carlos Prates on Submission Radio.

UFC 310 reax.

On To the Subsequent One. The Greatest Buddies Mike Heck and Alexander Okay. Lee predict what’s subsequent for the celebs of UFC 310.

Extreme MMA. Seán Sheehan and Graeme McDonnell deep dive into Ian Machado Garry’s slender loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.

Callout.

Invicta week!

Who doesn’t?

What am I doin’ right here?

2025 plans.

Completely balanced.

Dricus du Plessis (22-2) vs. Sean Strickland (29-6); UFC 312, Feb. 8

Zhang Weili (25-3) vs. Tatiana Suarez (10-0); UFC 312, Feb. 8

Justin Tafa (7-4) vs. Talisson Teixeira (7-0); UFC 312, Feb. 8

Bear in mind when dudes simply stayed of their division and defended their titles? Does the work of Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Demetrious Johnson imply nothing anymore?

STOP CHANGING WEIGHT CLASSES.

Get pleasure from your day, everybody.

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