Ilia Topuria stated that he believes he would retain his featherweight title even after moving up to fight Islam Makhachev at welterweight. The Georgian-Spanish champion explained that if he moves up to welterweight for the bout, everything will be different because he plans to return to the lightweight division afterward. This suggests Topuria is confident about competing across multiple weight classes. His comments indicate ongoing speculation about a potential superfight with Makhachev. The statement reflects Topuria's ambitions to challenge himself at higher weight divisions while maintaining his featherweight championship.
Ilia Topuria has declared he would hold onto his featherweight title even if he moves up to challenge Islam Makhachev, expressing confidence that a venture into a higher weight class would not cost him his current championship.
Topuria, known as El Matador, is ranked first pound-for-pound in the UFC and carries a 17-1-0 record competing out of the lightweight division at 29 years old. The Georgian-born Spanish fighter stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and has made a habit of staying busy on the feet, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute. He explained that if the Makhachev bout were to happen at welterweight, the circumstances would be entirely different because his intention would be to return to featherweight afterward, keeping that title intact throughout.
Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion out of Russia and currently sits at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings as well. Standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, he owns a 28-1-0 record and brings a smothering grappling game to every appearance, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes with a striking accuracy of 58 percent for the Eagles MMA product.
Why it matters
- Topuria's comments suggest he is openly targeting a cross-divisional superfight with Makhachev, one of the most anticipated potential matchups in the sport.
- A bout at welterweight would mean Topuria competes two full divisions above his natural featherweight home, raising significant questions about how the championship picture at 145 pounds would be handled.
- The stylistic contrast is sharp — Topuria's high-volume striking output against Makhachev's elite wrestling and submission threat — which adds intrigue to any future negotiation.
