Ilia Topuria has stated that if he moves up to welterweight to face Islam Makhachev, the situation will be different because he plans to return to the lightweight division afterward. The featherweight champion believes he will retain his title even after competing at a higher weight class. Topuria's comments suggest confidence in his ability to move between divisions while maintaining championship status. The statement adds intrigue to potential future matchmaking involving the Georgian champion. No timeline or official bout agreement was mentioned in his remarks.
Ilia Topuria has made clear that any move up to welterweight to fight Islam Makhachev would be a temporary one, stating publicly that he intends to return to lightweight afterward and fully expects to hold onto his featherweight title throughout the process. No official bout agreement or timeline has been announced.
Topuria, known as El Matador, currently sits at 17-1-0 and holds the number-one pound-for-pound ranking in the sport. The 29-year-old Spanish-Georgian fighter competes at lightweight, where he is ranked second in the division, while simultaneously holding featherweight gold. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, he is an aggressive volume striker, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute, and also contributes on the ground with nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes.
Makhachev enters any such conversation as the reigning welterweight champion with a record of 28-1-0. The 34-year-old Russian, currently the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter before Topuria's ascent to that spot, is a technically dominant grappler who lands 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and attempts 1.1 submissions in the same span. His striking accuracy of 58 percent is among the best in the sport, even if his volume of 2.63 significant strikes per minute trails Topuria's output considerably.
Why it matters
- Topuria's comments signal he views himself as capable of competing across three weight classes while retaining championship status
- A potential Topuria-Makhachev clash would pit the top two pound-for-pound fighters against each other in a cross-divisional super fight
- The size and reach disadvantage Topuria would carry into welterweight adds a significant physical dimension to any future matchmaking discussions
- Featherweight title picture remains in flux if Topuria continues campaigning at heavier weights
