Former UFC Feedweight title holder Ilia Topurias Patience is about to bear fruit.
It is six months ago that Ilia Topuria's some featherweight defending defense against Max Holloway on UFC 308. He became the first man who eliminated Holloway when he defended the belt of featherweight malignant.
After UFC 308, Topuria seemed somewhere in 2025 destined for a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski. But Topuria changed thoughts in the continuation of his featherweight title line, so that the belt was abandoned for a full -time move to the lightweight division.
According to Topuria, the UFC Brass promised him an immediate title shot for his next fight after leaving the featherweight division. But UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev and his team do not want to immediately give Topuria a shot.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Ilia Topuria shares an encouraging update on UFC return when summer is approaching
Makhachev is in favor of a different top light weight for his next title defense, possibly a collision against the rising Paddy Pimblett after the victory of the British star at UFC 314. This leaves Topuria in an uncomfortable place and he has been on the shelf for months while waiting for his desired lightweight title shot.
Although there are various options for Topuria's Return opposite, including a potential interim/vacant title shot against Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan, Makhachev is his top goal. Anyway, it seems that Topuria received good news from the UFC this week, while he hinted on social media.
In a recent tweet on X, Topuria started his training camp for his UFC recovery.
“The camp started,” Topuria posted Tuesday.
Reports are circulating that Topuria will fight for a title on UFC 317 to close the International Vechtweek. Makhachev, a teammate and friend of UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad, has long plagued a switch to Welterwet, which could flourish later this year.
The upcoming title defense of Muhammad against Jack della Maddalena could determine what different controversial fights, including the lightweight return of Topuria, look like.
The next opponent of Ilia Topuria can be determined by the UFC 315 result
If Muhammad beats Maddalena on UFC 315 next month, Muhammad could either go to the middleweight to challenge another belt or face Makhachev in a champion versus superfight champion. But Makhachev and Muhammad have repeatedly rejected a potential fighting booking, just like coach Khabib Nurmagomedov.
If Makhachev leaves the lightweight belt for a full -time switch to Welterweight, a collision with Topuria and Oliveira or Tsarukyan could be the following for the vacant title. Justin Gaethje is also in the mix after a victory last month at UFC 313.
But regardless of the result of the UFC 315 Main Event, Makhachev and Topuria were still able to clash this summer after months of bad blood between the two sides. Makhachev for the last time defended the lightweight belt against Renato Moicano on UFC 311 in January.