Ilia Topuria has suggested that he has booked a UFC fight from the left field.
The featherweight champion has not fought anymore since he dismissed Max Holloway in October at UFC 308.
It was recently announced that 'El Matador' will leave its title of 145 pounds to pursue lightweight glory.
It will be officially empty just before Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes Square for the belt on UFC 314 on April 12 – but Ilia Topuria will probably not mind after he had booked a fight for the ages.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Ilia Topuria teases a massive fight
On Thursday, Topuria sent MMA fans in Raziernij with a post of 10 words on social media.
“If we announce it, you won't believe it. Get ready, “he wrote on X.
If we announce it, you won't believe it. Get ready.
– Ilia Topuria (@topuriailia) March 6, 2025
View tweet
Islam Makhachev is the lightweight champion and the top of the list of opponents who wants to encounter Topuria.
The Protege of Khabib Nurmagomedov is fresh from a quick entry victory over Renato Moicano on UFC 311 in January.
It is currently unclear who will be his next opponent, because there is no obvious number one competition on 155 pounds – but Justin Gaethje or Rafael Fiziev could make a strong business when they rematch on UFC 313 on Saturday evening.
A collision between Makhachev and Topuria would certainly be huge, but not a shock to fight fans.
So we just have to wait for UFC boss Dana White to explain what his Spanish star is talking about.
What did Dana White say about the next fight by Ilia Topuria so far?
Speaking after the controversial UFC Fight Night Seattle Main Event between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong, White was asked if Topuria himself had left the featherweight title, or whether the UFC had stripped him.
“He did that – he said,” I did everything I can do here, I'm ready to go upstairs “and so he left it,” explains the UFC CEO.
“He said he should not keep someone's opportunities and you know, I always respect it when boys do that.”
White held his cards close to his chest when a follow -up question was asked about Topuria vs Makhachev.
He added: “There are other options, there are many s – going on, otherwise I would have said [that fight’s on]. “
Comments