Ilia Topuria Ready to Challenge UFC Lightweight Title if Islam Makhachev Wins

The UFC’s lightweight landscape is about to be shaken to its core, and Ilia Topuria is standing right in the center of the coming storm. Ahead of his blockbuster showdown against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, Topuria made it clear: this isn’t just about gold—this is about legacy, ambition, and history.

And if Islam Makhachev pulls off his own move up in weight to become UFC welterweight champion later this year, then Topuria is ready to chase him once again.

Ilia Topuria’s Vision: Two-Division Domination

Ilia Topuria, the undefeated Georgian-Spanish phenom, has never been shy about his goals. After becoming the undisputed featherweight champion, Topuria made the difficult decision to vacate his 145-pound title in pursuit of even greater challenges. His goal? The lightweight belt—specifically, the one previously held by Islam Makhachev.

But Makhachev had other plans.

Rather than defending his lightweight crown again, Makhachev decided to vacate and move up to welterweight, where he will now face the new 170-pound champion, Jack Della Maddalena, later this year. For Topuria, it was a twist, but not the end of the road.

“If Islam becomes the welterweight world champion, for sure I’m going to push for that shot also,” Topuria said confidently at a UFC 317 pre-fight press conference in Las Vegas.

From Oliveira to Opportunity: The Fight Topuria Didn’t Expect

While Topuria vs. Makhachev may have to wait, UFC fans are in for another high-stakes battle: Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira, a clash of styles, records, and momentum.

Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira, one of the most dangerous submission specialists in MMA history, is stepping back into the title picture for the first time since his submission loss to Makhachev at UFC 280. That fight, in October 2022, ended Oliveira’s title reign and left a void he’s been eager to fill ever since.

After a dominant TKO victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 262, and impressive wins over Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, Oliveira looked unstoppable—until he ran into Makhachev. Now, after defeating Chandler again at UFC 309, Oliveira is back with a vengeance.

Topuria respects the challenge, but admits he had his heart set on Makhachev.

“To be honest, I wanted to face him because he was the guy who was dominating everyone in that weight division,” Topuria said. “But at the end of the day, I can’t control what they do. The only thing I can control is what I do.”

The Road to UFC 317: Two Men, One Goal

Both Topuria and Oliveira arrive at UFC 317 with everything on the line.

For Ilia Topuria, this is a chance to become a two-division UFC champion and solidify his place among the greats. For Charles Oliveira, it’s about redemption, resurgence, and reclaiming the belt he believes is rightfully his.

Despite his initial disappointment that Makhachev wasn’t his opponent, Topuria knows this fight is just as important—and maybe more dangerous.

“He [Makhachev] decided to move up also, so I can’t do anything else,” Topuria shrugged. “I’ll go and fight whoever wants to fight me.”

That “whoever” just happens to be the UFC’s all-time submission leader, with the most finishes in UFC history.

Islam Makhachev’s Path: A New Era at 170?

Islam Makhachev, the Dagestani force and protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov, shocked fans when he vacated his lightweight belt and announced his intentions to fight at welterweight. His target? Jack Della Maddalena, the newly crowned Australian champion who has been on a tear through the division.

This bold move opens a number of new possibilities—but it also opens the door to the superfight that many fans crave: Topuria vs. Makhachev, title vs. title.

“We’ll see how he does in the welterweight division,” Topuria mused. “If he wins the title, and I win the title in the lightweight division, maybe I move up or he comes down to the lightweight division and we have the fight that everyone wants to see.”

That hypothetical clash could go down as one of the biggest in UFC history: two former champions in different divisions, both undefeated in recent years, both aiming for greatness beyond their weight class.

Charles Oliveira: A Dangerous Detour

But none of that matters if Topuria can’t get past Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

Oliveira is the most decorated finisher in UFC history, with a staggering resume and a chip on his shoulder. He’s battled through adversity, lost and regained titles, and proven time and again that he can hang with the best in the world.

This version of Oliveira isn’t just a threat—he’s desperate to rewrite the final chapter of his career, and that could spell trouble for the still-rising Topuria.

It’s worth remembering that Oliveira’s last title run included devastating finishes over some of the biggest names in the sport, and he’s still just 35—relatively young in MMA years for someone with over 40 professional fights.

A Superfight in the Making: Topuria vs. Makhachev Still on the Horizon

If Topuria defeats Oliveira, he will hold the UFC lightweight title, a belt many thought would remain around Islam Makhachev’s waist for years. But now, with Makhachev hunting glory at 170 pounds, the two-division dream fight remains a strong possibility.

Whether Makhachev defends the welterweight title or returns to lightweight to reclaim his throne, Topuria wants that smoke.

“This is what I’m doing. He has his own goals, is what I think.”

That line says it all. For Topuria, Makhachev’s exit from lightweight wasn’t a duck—it was a detour. But if fate allows, they’ll still cross paths, and when they do, the world will watch.

What’s at Stake at UFC 317?

This isn’t just another main event—this is a defining moment for the UFC’s lightweight division. If Topuria wins, he becomes the first Georgian-born UFC champion in the 155-pound class. He also sets himself up for one of the biggest fights in UFC history against Islam Makhachev.

If Oliveira wins, he becomes a two-time UFC champion and strengthens his case as one of the top five lightweights of all time. Either way, the winner is walking into a division in transition—Makhachev is gone (for now), Beneil Dariush, Arman Tsarukyan, and Mateusz Gamrot are climbing, and new contenders are emerging by the month.

Final Thoughts: A Fight for Now and for the Future

The MMA world is at a crossroads, and Ilia Topuria knows it. While his focus remains on UFC 317 and Charles Oliveira, his eyes are clearly on the future.

“If Islam becomes welterweight champion, I’m going to push for that shot.”

That’s not just ambition—that’s legacy talk.

Topuria isn’t here to win one belt. He’s here to take over. Whether that means beating legends like Oliveira, or chasing down giants like Makhachev, Topuria’s message is clear:

He’s not just fighting for gold. He’s fighting for history.