Ilia Topuria Desires Move To Lightweight Division

Ilia Topuria Desires Move To Lightweight Division

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria does not plan to stay at his current weight class much longer. The champion is eyeing a move up to the lightweight division.

Topuria discussed his future with the Spanish radio outlet El Partidazo de COPE.

“There were talks of Miami, but I’m not sure because there are still some pending conversations,” Topuria told Spanish radio outlet El Partidazo de COPE. “We need to talk about it and take a look at my future, but for me, it’s very clear how I want to do it. I’d like to move up to the next weight class, and since Islam (Makhachev) is the champion fighting in January (against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311), and he won’t be ready for April or May, I’d like to fight against the No. 1 contender right now, who’s Charles Oliveira.”

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

Topuria’s move up a weight class would drastically change two of the UFC’s premier weight classes. It shakes a division to its core when a champion vacates the title. The featherweight division would be in a poor position without Topuria. At the same time, the lightweight division is stacked with talent. Adding Topuria to the 155-pound weight class would add another elite fighter.

The biggest questions about Topuria’s desire to jump up a weight class revolve around the UFC. The promotion will have a say in Topuria’s future. It would not be a surprise for the UFC to attempt to persuade Topuria to stay at featherweight. Alternatively, they may want Topuria to fight for the lightweight title rather than a No. 1 contender bout. The situation has a ton of moving pieces from a logistical viewpoint.

Regardless, Topuria seems sincere in his division to jump up a division. The main reason for the change revolves around weight instead of chasing double champ status. The willingness to fight a contender provides further evidence to the point.

“Yes, for sure, I’m moving to lightweight,” Topuria said. “I’m 70.7 (155 pounds) kilos. Now it’s time to enjoy what I do, we’re leaving the weight cut.”

It does make sense for Topuria to move up to lightweight in the near future. At 27 years old, he is likely to outgrow the 145-pound limit. A move up a weight class at this stage of his career would get him ahead of the curve and prevent future weight-cut issues.

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