Topuria says he'll keep featherweight belt if he fights Makhachev at welterweight

Ilia Topuria believes he would retain his featherweight championship even if he moves up to welterweight to face Islam Makhachev. The Georgian champion stated that everything would be different if he competed at welterweight, as he plans to return to the lightweight division afterward. This statement suggests Topuria is open to challenging Makhachev at a higher weight class while maintaining his status as featherweight titleholder. The proposal would represent an unusual cross-divisional matchup between two current champions at a third weight class.