Ilia Topuria appears to be finished competing in the featherweight division permanently.
Known as `El Matador`, Topuria built a legendary record at 145 pounds, remaining undefeated and winning the UFC title with a stunning knockout of Alexander Volkanovski in February 2024. He reportedly achieved another remarkable feat eight months later by knocking out Max Holloway, becoming the first fighter ever to finish Holloway with strikes.
With numerous accomplishments in the featherweight division before turning 28, Topuria is now pursuing a new challenge: the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28, where he is scheduled to face Charles Oliveira. Securing this opportunity required him to vacate his 145-pound belt.
Topuria stated he has no regrets about leaving the division, especially considering the extreme difficulty he faced making the weight cut.
Speaking to ESPN Deportes, Topuria explained the severe hardship of weight cutting. He said that when struggling to eat or drink, material possessions lose all value. He vividly compared the feeling to being “so low” and “terrible,” like “sitting naked in the middle of the street”. He emphasized that he simply didn’t want to suffer anymore.
Having achieved his lifelong dream of becoming world champion, Topuria felt it was time to “close that chapter” to avoid further suffering. He likened the experience of cutting weight to “living in the desert” and preferred to “live on the beach”.
However, removing the difficult weight cut wasn`t the only reason Topuria decided to move up to the lightweight division.
Initially, Topuria aimed to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title, who was then the No. 1 Pound-for-Pound fighter. Topuria stated his goal was to face the dominant figure in the division, just as he sought to fight Volkanovski at featherweight because he was the “greatest”.
He explained that fighting the person who has “dominated everyone” results in a much bigger prize.
That being said, Topuria did take issue with certain comments from Makhachev and his team. They had suggested Topuria needed a win at lightweight before challenging for the title and implied Makhachev might not vacate the title if he moved up to welterweight.
Despite this, Topuria believes he was always destined for the lightweight title shot, regardless of what others said.
Topuria commented on their attitude, saying they acted as if they “invented the sport”. He dismissed their suggestions, noting that despite their claims, Makhachev eventually vacated the title, and he is now fighting directly for the belt.
Topuria highlighted the contrast between their statements and the reality, concluding that the truth of the situation became evident.
