Ilia Topuria obtained nearly all the things he needed at UFC 317.
“El Matador” scored a surprising knockout of Charles Oliveira on this previous Saturday’s predominant occasion to say a vacant light-weight championship, keep his undefeated report, and be a part of the unique checklist of UFC fighters to carry titles in two weight lessons. He beforehand reigned as featherweight king, knocking out all-time greats Alexander Oliveira and Max Holloway in championship bouts.
Whereas Topuria is relishing his accomplishment, it was barely dimmed by Oliveira not being the incumbent champion. The light-weight title was vacated by Islam Makhachev, who can be shifting up a division to welterweight to problem Jack Della Maddalena.
It’s Makhachev that Topuria had in his sights when he jumped as much as 155 kilos.
“In some unspecified time in the future I used to be a little bit bit unhappy as a result of I didn’t need to combat towards [Oliveira] for the reason that starting,” Topuria informed TMZ Sports. “My actual aim all the time was Islam, however since he determined to run away, it must be Charles.”
“Pay attention, I believe that [Makhachev] took a fantastic choice,” he continued. “If the UFC would supply him to combat towards Justin Gaethje or one other contender within the division, I believe that he would keep at 155, however with me developing, he was, like, ‘I don’t must take this danger. I’m going to maneuver as much as 170, I’m going to attempt to get one other belt’ and that’s all as a result of he is aware of that I’m harmful. He is aware of that I’m going to place him to sleep. The one cause they don’t need me to combat towards him is as a result of they know that I’m going to beat him.”
Makhachev and his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov had been beforehand reluctant to call Topuria as a worthy challenger, given his inexperience at light-weight. It wasn’t till after Makhachev’s shut pal Belal Muhammad misplaced the welterweight title to Della Maddalena this previous Could that the trail turned clear for Makhachev to maneuver as much as 170 and for the UFC to announce Topuria vs. Oliveira.
That mentioned, Makhachev isn’t off the hook so far as Topuria is worried. If Makhachev beats Della Maddalena, Topuria is keen to bulk up even additional to face Makhachev and add one other belt to his assortment.
“Ideally, I might like to see Islam getting the title and the UFC letting me go as much as 170 and getting the third belt,” Topuria mentioned.
Whether or not he ever fights Makhachev or not, Topuria has positioned himself on the forefront of the pound-for-pound debate and is arguably the promotion’s largest star given his international reputation. Together with his previous three wins, he’s additionally made the case for having authored probably the most spectacular run in MMA historical past.
“I believe so,” Topuria mentioned. “Three legends. Alex Volkanovski, he was dominating the entire division. Max Holloway, one other legend of the game. And now Charles Oliveira. I believe that it’s the best run.”
