Ilia Topuria says he'd keep featherweight title after Islam Makhachev welterweight fight

Ilia Topuria has stated that if he moves up to welterweight to face Islam Makhachev, things would be different because he plans to return to the lightweight division afterward. Topuria appears confident that moving up in weight for a superfight would not jeopardize his status as featherweight champion. He believes he would retain his title after the bout with Makhachev. The comment reflects Topuria's willingness to pursue marquee matchups across weight classes. No official announcement of such a fight has been made.