Ilia Topuria says he'd keep featherweight title if moving up to fight Islam Makhachev

Ilia Topuria has sparked fresh discussion around a potential superfight with Islam Makhachev, declaring that he would hold onto his featherweight title if he moved up to challenge the lightweight champion — with the bout taking place at welterweight.

Topuria, known as El Matador, made clear that any move above his current weight class would be temporary. He stated that returning to lightweight after such a fight is part of his plan, suggesting he views a welterweight matchup as a one-off excursion rather than a permanent division change.

The 29-year-old Spaniard currently sits at number two in the lightweight division and holds the number one spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. He carries a 17-1-0 record and is one of the more active offensive fighters in the sport, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, Topuria competes out of Climent Club and fights out of an orthodox stance.

Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion and holds the top position in the pound-for-pound standings with a 28-1-0 record. The Russian southpaw trains with Eagles MMA and stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. He averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the most well-rounded champions in the organization.

Why it matters

• A welterweight superfight between the top two pound-for-pound fighters would be one of the most significant matchups the sport could produce.
• Topuria's insistence on retaining his featherweight title adds a layer of complexity to any potential negotiation.
• The size and style contrast — Makhachev's grappling-heavy control game against Topuria's high-volume striking — sets up a compelling matchup on paper.
• The outcome could reshape the pound-for-pound hierarchy regardless of which direction either fighter moves next.