Ilia Topurias pursue legacy-definating performance in the UFC may have affected his opportunities in one category, according to Alexander Volkanovski.
Topuria played Volkanovski on UFC 298 to win his first title in February 2024. After a only successful defense was followed against Max Holloway, the Spaniard said goodbye to the featherweight division.
'El Matador' has since reached a different throne, with Topuria that violently stands at UFC 317 at UFC 317 to claim the empty crown at lightweight and remain undefeated.
Topuria is on a quick track of greatness in the largest stage in MMA, but he has been told that his strategy has prevented him from joining a large debate with a number of legends.
Photo by Ian Maule/Getty images
Alexander Volkanovski eliminates Ilia Topuria from the UFC Featherweight Goat debate
During a recent performance on the MightyCast -Podcast by Demetrious Johnson, Volkanovski discussed the growing trend of champions that focus on fast opportunities in winning other division titles.
The Australian explained that he has no problem in cases where belts are abandoned, such as the lightweight movement of Topuria. But he insisted that his former rival gave the right to fight for the goat of featherweight by ending his reign after just one defense.
“You removed the two boys, I think the old era … Now we want to see how you are doing against the new school,” said Volkanovski. “That is what I liked about me who fights against Diego (Lopes) … the young era.
“It is difficult if you tried to hold two belts. The fact that they (Topuria and others) remember, renouncing the belt, let it go to go up, I think I am good with that. Because you now connect that division.
“But brings you in goat status in that division? No, you are not … He has not had the defense. … It is not legacy-defined.”
Ilia Topuria will follow the wishes of UFC by staying with lightweight – for now
Volkanovski also suggested that the lightweight goat status remains feasible for Topuria if he takes several defenses. However, the desire to write history as the very first three-weight champion of the UFC could stand in the way.
But although Topuria has been open about his welter weight plan, it does not seem to be an immediate output of the 155-pound weight class.
During an appearance on the UFCs about the last Vechtshow, the champion seemed to emphasize why he did not report rival Islam Makhachev in his Octagon interview on UFC 317, with which he made the promise that Topuria at the UFC has unveiled with regard to a potential Wellerweight switch.
“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, “he added, crossing his fingers jokes.