Ilia Topuria's Bold Gamble: Will UFC Keep Its Promise Of Giving Him A Lightweight Title Fight After His Relinquishing The Featherweight Title, Or Is It All A Lie?

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The world of mixed martial arts (MMA) thrives on dramatic shifts, unexpected challenges, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. One of the latest bombshells in the UFC landscape is Ilia Topuria’s decision to vacate his featherweight title in favor of a move to the lightweight division. The Georgian-Spanish fighter claims that the UFC has promised him an immediate title shot at 155 pounds, sparking debates and excitement within the MMA community.

In a recent press conference, Topuria confidently stated:

“The UFC has promised me a title shot. That’s why I gave up my belt. And they always keep their promises.”

But how did Topuria reach this point, and does he truly deserve a shot at the UFC lightweight gold? Let’s break down his career, the landscape of the lightweight division, and what this move means for the UFC.

Ilia Topuria’s Rise to UFC Stardom

Ilia Topuria’s ascent in the UFC has been nothing short of spectacular. From his early fights to claiming the featherweight title, his journey has been marked by dominant performances and an unshakable belief in his abilities.

Early Career and UFC Debut

Topuria made his UFC debut in October 2020, stepping in as a late replacement against Youssef Zalal. Despite short preparation time, he secured a unanimous decision victory, showcasing crisp striking and excellent grappling.

He followed up with impressive finishes over Damon Jackson, Ryan Hall, and Jai Herbert, proving himself as one of the most well-rounded prospects in the UFC. His striking power and submission skills made him a nightmare matchup for opponents, and his confidence only grew with each victory.

Winning the Featherweight Title

Topuria’s defining moment came in February 2024 at UFC 298, where he faced Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight championship. Volkanovski, a dominant champion, was expected to give Topuria the toughest fight of his career. However, the Georgian-Spaniard shocked the world by knocking Volkanovski out cold in the second round, claiming the 145-pound gold.

Just months later, in October 2024, he defended his title against Max Holloway at UFC 308, securing a unanimous decision victory. With the featherweight division conquered, Topuria began eyeing new challenges at lightweight.

Why Did Topuria Vacate the Featherweight Title?

Vacating a championship belt is never an easy decision. Fighters spend years climbing the rankings to earn a title shot, and once they claim gold, they typically aim to defend it multiple times. So, why did Topuria walk away from his featherweight title after just one defense?

The Allure of the Lightweight Division

The lightweight division is arguably the most competitive and exciting weight class in the UFC. Home to elite fighters like Islam Makhachev, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Arman Tsarukyan, it presents a new challenge for Topuria.

Unlike featherweight, where Topuria proved to be a dominant force, lightweight offers bigger and stronger opponents with elite wrestling, striking, and championship experience. If he can claim a title in this division, he would cement himself as one of the UFC’s all-time greats.

UFC’s Alleged Promise of a Title Shot

Topuria’s biggest claim is that the UFC has guaranteed him a title fight upon moving up. If true, this would be a massive opportunity for him. Fighters usually need to climb the rankings in a new weight class before receiving a title shot, but exceptions have been made for big names and champions moving up, such as:

Conor McGregor (jumped from featherweight to lightweight and won the title in his first fight at 155 pounds)
Israel Adesanya (moved from middleweight to light heavyweight and fought for the title immediately)
Henry Cejudo (won titles at flyweight and bantamweight without needing additional fights)

The UFC values star power and marketability as much as skill. If Topuria’s claim is true, the UFC sees him as a potential two-division champion capable of selling major pay-per-view events.

How Would Ilia Topuria Fare in the Lightweight Division?

Moving up in weight is never easy, especially in a division stacked with elite talent. How does Topuria’s skillset translate to lightweight?

Strengths That Could Carry Over

Elite Striking Power – Topuria carries knockout power in both hands, which was evident in his wins over Volkanovski and Herbert. If his power translates well to lightweight, he could be a major threat.
Well-Rounded Skillset – Unlike many featherweights who struggle with size disadvantages at lightweight, Topuria has a strong grappling base to complement his striking. His black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu makes him a submission threat.
Confidence and Mental Toughness – One of Topuria’s biggest weapons is his unwavering self-belief. He thrives under pressure and has repeatedly proven that he can rise to the occasion against elite competition.

Potential Challenges at Lightweight

Facing Stronger Wrestlers – Fighters like Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan have world-class wrestling. Topuria will need to prove he can defend against high-level takedowns.
Dealing with Increased Power – While Topuria has knockout power, so do fighters like Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Rafael Fiziev. Taking clean shots at lightweight will be far riskier.
Cardio for Five Rounds – Lightweight fights, especially championship bouts, often turn into grueling wars. Topuria will need to show that he can maintain his pace against larger opponents.

Who Would Topuria Fight for the Lightweight Title?

If the UFC truly promised him a title shot, the biggest question remains: Who will he face?

Islam Makhachev (Current Champion)

The most likely scenario is a title fight against Islam Makhachev, the reigning lightweight champion. Makhachev, a dominant grappler trained by Khabib Nurmagomedov, has been nearly unstoppable in the division.

Strengths: Elite wrestling, relentless pressure, suffocating top control
Weaknesses: Stand-up striking, though improving, is not as polished as Topuria’s

A fight between Makhachev and Topuria would be a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, with Topuria needing to keep the fight standing to have a chance at victory.

Charles Oliveira (Potential Contender)

If Makhachev is unavailable, Charles Oliveira could be an exciting alternative. The former lightweight champion is an elite submission artist with dangerous striking.

Strengths: World-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, aggressive stand-up game
Weaknesses: Susceptible to taking damage in exchanges

Oliveira has already dismissed Topuria’s chances in the lightweight division, calling him “disrespectful.” A fight between these two would be highly marketable.

Other Possible Opponents

If the UFC does not grant Topuria an immediate title shot, he might face a top-five contender like Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, or Beneil Dariush to prove himself at lightweight first.

Final Thoughts: Will Topuria Become a Two-Division Champion?

Ilia Topuria’s move to lightweight is one of the biggest stories in the UFC right now. If he is indeed granted an immediate title shot, he will have a chance to make history as a two-division champion. However, lightweight is a completely different challenge from featherweight, and he will need to prove that his skills can translate against bigger, stronger opponents.

With the UFC expected to announce Topuria’s next fight soon, fans eagerly await to see if he can back up his bold claims and continue his meteoric rise in the MMA world.

One thing is certain—whether he succeeds or not, Topuria’s journey in the lightweight division will be one of the most thrilling storylines in the UFC.