Some were surprised not to hear Ilia Topuria mentioning his rivalry with Islam Makhachev after following the Dagestani on UFC 316.
With Makhachev that Versling the lightweight title and strives for a dichotomy glory in the division above, a new Kingpin had to be crowned at 155 pounds.
On June 28, Topuria Charles Oliveira stopped on UFC 317 to ensure that he would fill the void on the throne. The Spaniard made up for his confident promise to finish the Brazilian in one round and to follow his featherweight title with multi-division glory.
And UFC 317 was far from the last ambitious goal in the career of Topuria. The 28-year-old has been vocal in expressing his desire to make history as the first hunter to win three titles in the UFC.
From now on, however, Dana White and Co. are not on board.
Ilia Topuria promised not to ask for a welterweight movement after UFC 317
After the parades of two championships around the Octagon, Topuria was interviewed by Joe Rogan.
Some were shocked that the newly crowned champion did not mention his predecessor, in the days and months prior to the words of words, prior to UFC 317. Topuria noticed a 'coward' who accused him of running their matchup.
During a appearance on the UFCs about the last fighting show, Topuria seemed to explain why the name of the Dagestani was not pronounced, which showed that he made a promise to the UFC not to ask for a good weight movement after his victory.
“I thought about it, but the last conversation I had with the UFC, they personally asked me the favor:” Do not tell us after the fight that you want to move to the good weight division. Make us a promise. “
“I had something like:” Ah, I promise, “Topuria added, crossing jokes over his fingers.
Ilia Topuria set his focus on a new resort
Instead of immediately haunting Makhachev when he takes the throne of Welterweight, Topuria seems willing to enter into the potential challengers with whom he has to deal with 155 pounds.
And 'El Matador' went so far to push one of them into the Octagon last Saturday evening, after Topuria Face-Off with Paddy Pimblett became short physical and forced security to intervene.
That is 'The Baddy' left as the leader in the eyes of many to challenge the Spaniard later this year, although Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje both have their supporters.
Although Tsarukyan's back -uprol at UFC 317 does not seem to have brought him a guaranteed place opposite the champion, Gaethje left his pension Ultimatum rejected by White.