Ilia Topuria stated that if he moves up to welterweight, things will be different because he plans to return to the lightweight division after facing Islam Makhachev. Topuria expressed confidence that he could retain his featherweight title despite moving up multiple weight classes. The statement reflects Topuria's willingness to challenge Makhachev at a higher weight class. He appears confident in his ability to manage fights across multiple divisions. The post presents Topuria's perspective on a potential superfight scenario.
Ilia Topuria has declared that he would hold onto his featherweight title even if he moved up to welterweight to fight Islam Makhachev, laying out an ambitious multi-division plan that has turned heads across the sport.
Topuria, known as "El Matador," currently holds a 17-1-0 record and sits at number two in the lightweight division, while also ranking first in the pound-for-pound standings. The 29-year-old Spaniard fights out of Climent Club and has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in the game, averaging 4.81 significant strikes landed per minute. He stated that unlike a standard lightweight-to-welterweight move, his scenario would involve returning to featherweight after any clash with Makhachev, suggesting he views the bout as a one-off challenge rather than a full divisional shift.
Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion, enters any such conversation as one of the most decorated fighters on the planet. The 34-year-old Russian carries a 28-1-0 record and holds the number-one pound-for-pound ranking alongside his title. Fighting out of Eagles MMA in a southpaw stance, Makhachev is a relentless pressure fighter who lands 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and connects on 58 percent of his significant strikes, numbers that underline why a potential superfight would be such a compelling proposition.
Why it matters
- Topuria's comments signal genuine intent to pursue one of the most talked-about superfights in the sport
- A welterweight meeting would pit the top two pound-for-pound fighters against each other across multiple weight classes
- Topuria's plan to retain his featherweight title adds a unique multi-division layer rarely seen in UFC history
- The size difference is notable, with Makhachev standing five-foot-ten against Topuria's five-foot-seven frame
