Ilia Topuria News
Paddy Pimblett says Ilia Topuria going to lightweight will be "the downfall of his career"
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2025
Paddy Pimblett doesn’t expect Ilia Topuria to have much success at lightweight. Pimblett and Topuria have taken shots at each other in the past, as both have shown interest in fighting one another. However, Topuria was at featherweight and wound up becoming the champ. But, after one title defense, he announced he would be vacating his belt and moving up to lightweight.
Dustin Poirier wants to see Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria: 'Doing it the right way'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 24, 2025
Dustin Poirier believes Ilia Topuria should receive a crack at the UFC lightweight title right away. Topuria has made the decision to move on from the 145-pound weight class and in doing so, he’s vacated the featherweight gold. Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will be vying for the vacant title in the main event of UFC 314 on April 12. As for Topuria, UFC CEO Dana White has said it isn’t a guarantee that “El Matador” will get the next shot at Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Championship.
Joe Lopez believes Ilia Topuria is following the Conor McGregor model
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski’s coach Joe Lopez believes Ilia Topuria is following the Conor McGregor model by moving to lightweight. As we know, Ilia Topuria is making a move from the featherweight division to lightweight – vacating the gold at 145 pounds in the process. While that’s a shame for the 145 pound division, it certainly opens up a lot of doors for him at 155.
Daniel Cormier explains why he's surprised by Ilia Topuria's lightweight switch
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria’s decision to make a move up to the lightweight division. As we know, Ilia Topuria is seemingly done with the featherweight division. He has made the decision to move up to 155 pounds on a full-time basis, and as a result of that, he will be vacating the strap. He’s suggested that it’s because he can no longer make the weight, but after comments from Diego Lopes, some believe it may be due to the promotion not wanting him to hold onto the championship while pursuing a new goal.
Islam Makhachev's team not keen on fighting Ilia Topuria next after 'El Matador' vacates UFC gold
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 21, 2025
Islam Makhachev’s coach has praise for Ilia Topuria, but he’s still not keen on “El Matador” getting a UFC lightweight title shot. UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Ilia Topuria has vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship. Fighting for the vacant gold will be Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314. While Topuria vs. Makhachev has not been made official at this time, Ariel Helwani reports that this is being planned potentially as early as International Fight Week. Helwani later noted that Topuria wouldn’t have vacated the featherweight title for a number one contender fight.
Dana White explains Ilia Topuria vacating UFC featherweight title
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2025
UFC president Dana White has explained why Ilia Topuria decided to vacate the featherweight championship. As announced by Dana White, Ilia Topuria is leaving the featherweight division. In the wake of his incredible wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, he’s decided to make the jump up to lightweight. He’s already going to go down as one of the best ever at 145 pounds, and now, he has his sights firmly on acquiring a second world title at a brand new weight class.
Islam Makhachev's manager sounds off on possible Ilia Topuria bout: "We already gave chances to featherweight champ"
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2025
Islam Makhachev’s manager doesn’t seem to be a fan of a potential bout with former UFC champion Ilia Topuria. The UFC lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the cage last month in Los Angeles. There, Islam Makhachev met a short-notice replacement, Renato Moicano. While he was initially set to face Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311, an injury forced him out. As a result, Makhachev handed the short-notice ‘Money Moicano’ a first-round submission loss.
Islam Makhachev isn't afraid of Ilia Topuria, says UFC Hall of Famer
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025
One UFC Hall of Famer says that Islam Makhachev has no fear of fighting Ilia Topuria. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, while Topuria holds the featherweight gold. Topuria has expressed interest in a champion vs. champion showdown, but Makhachev has let it be known that he prefers to go after “champ-champ” status. “El Matador” believes Makhachev is avoiding a fight against him.
UFC champion Ilia Topuria teases fight news amid rumors of bout against Islam Makhachev: "Maybe the next week"
Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2025
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria hopes to announce his return next week. ‘El Matador’ hasn’t been seen in the octagon since his title defense against Max Holloway in October. Just a few months after knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to win UFC gold, Ilia Topuria met the red-hot ‘Blessed’. Holloway entered the bout after his knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April, hoping to win the featherweight title for the second time.
Paddy Pimblett welcomes 'midget' Ilia Topuria to lightweight division: 'I'm here waiting'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 13, 2025
Paddy Pimblett won’t shy away from a 155-pound scrap with Ilia Topuria. Pimblett and Topuria have had some beef dating back to 2021. The two had a run-in at a hotel lobby in London the during the week of a UFC Fight Night card the following year. Topuria’s issue with Pimblett stems from a social media post where “The Baddy” called Georgians “stupid” and added, “No wonder the Russians terrorize their lives.”
Dustin Poirier gives his thoughts on possible Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria fight
Harry Kettle - February 13, 2025
UFC star Dustin Poirier has given his thoughts on a potential superfight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Everyone is aware of the fact that Ilia Topuria is an ambitious person. In the wake of his victory over Max Holloway, he made it clear that he wants to try and win a second belt. If he’s going to do that, then there’s a pretty good chance he’ll have to go through Islam Makhachev in order to do it.
Paddy Pimblett doubts Ilia Topuria fights Islam Makhachev during International Fight Week: 'He's not Conor McGregor'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 11, 2025
Paddy Pimblett isn’t convinced that Ilia Topuria will fight Islam Makhachev this summer. Topuria has teased trying his hand at 155 pounds in a bid to become a double champion. “El Matador” is currently the reigning UFC featherweight champion and he’s been linked to a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski. The UFC has not made that bout official at this time.
Alexander Volkanovski reacts after Ilia Topuria states his desire to fight Islam Makhachev next: “I’ll fight whoever for that belt”
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria wanting to fight Islam Makhachev next instead of him. As we know, Alexander Volkanovski is an absolutely massive fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. He had an incredible run as featherweight champion, and he also dared to be great by moving up to lightweight. Now, his former foe Ilia Topuria is attempting to do the same in order to try and become a two-weight world champion.
UFC champion Ilia Topuria not impressed by Movsar Evloev, would rather fight Diego Lopes
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 5, 2025
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria doesn’t believe Movsar Evloev is deserving of a title shot. Topuria has been observing the 145-pound division and his potential contenders. While the featherweight king would rather move up to lightweight, he’s letting the UFC brass decide what they want to do with him going forward. “El Matador” is rumored to be facing Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch, but Topuria insists he hasn’t signed anything.
UFC 314 main event between Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski possibly leaked by rising star
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 27, 2025
Ilia Topuria vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 will headline UFC 314 in Miami, Bo Nickal claims. Much has been made over what’s next for Topuria, the current UFC featherweight champion. “El Matador” has teased possibly moving up to the lightweight division, but he released a statement on social media telling fans to not believe gossip online. Volkanovski has been under the impression that he’s due for a UFC featherweight title rematch.
Ilia Topuria may corner Merab Dvalishvili for UFC 311 title fight
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2025
UFC star Ilia Topuira could end up being in the corner of Merab Dvalishvili for his title fight at UFC 311 next weekend. Right now, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts. He is the UFC featherweight champion, he’s built up a huge name for himself, and last year he knocked out both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. If that isn’t impressive, we truly don’t know what is.
Former two-division UFC champion believes Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is bigger fight than Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 27, 2024
A former UFC “champ-champ” believes Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria could be even bigger than Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall. Many fans have been clamoring for Jones vs. Aspinall given that it would settle who is the best heavyweight in the UFC. “Bones” holds the main title, while Aspinall has his hands on interim gold. While UFC CEO Dana White is looking to make that title unification bout a reality in 2025, is it possible that another mega fight tops that one?
Popular UFC lightweight blasts Ilia Topuria for copying Conor McGregor: 'D*ckhead'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 24, 2024
One notable UFC lightweight contender is taking aim at Ilia Topuria for using the Conor McGregor playbook. It’s no secret that Topuria loves the spotlight. While “El Matador” has shown humbleness after his fights, he never shies away from talking trash. As the reigning UFC featherweight champion keeps winning, he’s likely to see his stock continue to increase.