UFC champ Ilia Topuria hints at vacating title, needs Charles Oliveira at light-weight

Is Ilia Topuria about to voluntarily quit the UFC featherweight title? It seems he’s excited about it.

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who earned his first 145-pound title defense with a knockout of Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October after claiming the belt from Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February, mentioned he’s fascinated by shifting as much as light-weight in his subsequent contest.

All indicators pointed to Topuria subsequent defending his belt in a rematch with Volkanovski in 2025, perhaps in Spain, nevertheless it seems “El Matador” has a distinct concept in thoughts.

“There have been talks of Miami, however I’m undecided as a result of there are nonetheless some pending conversations,” Topuria advised Spanish radio outlet El Partidazo de COPE. “We have to discuss it and check out my future, however for me, it’s very clear how I need to do it. I’d like to maneuver as much as the subsequent weight class, and since Islam (Makhachev) is the champion combating in January (in opposition to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311), and he gained’t be prepared for April or Might, I’d prefer to struggle in opposition to the No. 1 contender proper now, who’s Charles Oliveira.”

“I’d like to maneuver up a weight class,” . “Since Islam (Makhachev) fights in January, I’d prefer to face the division’s prime contender, Charles Oliveira.”

⭐️ @Topuriailia, en directo en @partidazocope

🤔 “Tal vez toca un cambio…”

🤩 “¿Si habéis visto mi último combate de peso pluma? Sí, seguro que sí”

📻 #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/EwIHhQkfBu

— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) December 9, 2024

When pressed by the radio host as as to whether the callout of Oliveira might imply he’s shifting on from the featherweight division for good, which in flip would imply relinquishing the belt, Topuria nodded his head.

“Perhaps there’s a change coming,” Topuria mentioned. “Sure, very seemingly (you noticed my final struggle at featherweight).”

Whether or not Oliveira is within the matchup with Topuria stays to be seen. “Do Bronx” is coming off a unanimous decision win over Michael Chandler at UFC 309 in November, and afterward mentioned he intends to take a seat cageside for Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan on Jan. 18 and problem the winner.

Previous to his struggle at UFC 309, Oliveira was requested in regards to the possibility of Topuria moving up in weight, and cautioned him about doing so.

“Ilia is a tricky fighter – somebody who talks the discuss and walks the stroll,” Oliveira mentioned by an interpreter at UFC 309 media day. “He’s doing issues. I can see why he would need to problem individuals. He can be, clearly, a tricky struggle.

“I feel that what occurs is lots of fighters, at any time when they get the belt, they’ve that belt wrapped round their waist, they begin considering up and down within the divisions. However I feel it’s a must to be very cautious if you’re coming as much as light-weight as a result of that is powerful. This can be a very powerful division. However at any fee, I feel that he’s a really powerful and really harmful man.”