Ilia Topuria has stated that he believes he would keep his featherweight title even if he moved up to fight Islam Makhachev at welterweight. The featherweight champion indicated that after such a fight, he would return to the lightweight division. Topuria's comments suggest he sees a potential superfight scenario where he could compete at a higher weight class without vacating his current championship. The statement reflects his confidence in managing multiple weight classes simultaneously. No official discussions or negotiations for such a bout have been announced by the UFC.
Ilia Topuria has publicly declared that he believes he would retain his featherweight title if he were to move up and fight Islam Makhachev at welterweight, adding that he would subsequently campaign at lightweight following such a bout.
Topuria, known as "El Matador," enters this conversation as one of the sport's most compelling figures. The 29-year-old Spaniard holds a 17-1-0 record and currently sits second in the lightweight divisional rankings while carrying the number-one spot on the pound-for-pound list. Fighting out of Climent Club, the five-foot-seven orthodox striker generates an impressive 4.81 significant strikes per minute, underlining the aggressive output that has defined his rise. His comments suggest he envisions competing at a higher weight class without surrendering the featherweight belt he currently holds.
Standing across a hypothetical scenario is Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion from Russia and the consensus top pound-for-pound fighter just behind Topuria in public perception. The 34-year-old carries a 28-1-0 record and fights out of Eagles MMA. At five-foot-ten with a southpaw stance, Makhachev blends elite grappling with efficient striking, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 58 percent of his significant strikes. No official discussions or UFC negotiations for this matchup have been announced.
Why it matters
- Topuria is suggesting he could hold a title at featherweight while competing two divisions above it, which would be an unprecedented weight-class situation
- A bout at welterweight would pit the pound-for-pound number one against the welterweight champion, giving it genuine superfight status
- The size and reach disparity — Makhachev holds advantages of three inches in height and eight centimeters in reach — would make the stylistic matchup a significant talking point
- No formal movement from the UFC means this remains in the realm of fighter posturing for now
