Feb 17, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Ilia Topuria celebrates his championship victory against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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Ilia Topuria Plans To Wait As He Rejects #1 Contender Fight

Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria clarifies that he would not fight anyone else other than the champion at lightweight!

The UFC featherweight division has seen many champions come and go. Jose Aldo ruled for years with his devastating leg kicks. Conor McGregor made his mark with that 13-second knockout. Max Holloway dazzled fans with his volume striking and iron chin. And, Alexander Volkanovski cemented his legacy with technical brilliance. Recently, a new king wore the crown.

Ilia Topuria burst onto the scene like a tornado. His knockout power changed the landscape of the division. The undefeated fighter from Spain by way of Georgia has quickly become one of the UFC’s most intriguing stars.

After claiming the featherweight title with a knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski, Topuria defended his belt against Max Holloway. His impressive victories have given him the confidence to make bold moves. Now, he’s aiming even higher. Topuria recently vacated his 145-pound championship to pursue bigger challenges. His target is none other than the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Also Read: Dustin Poirier Teases Announcement Of His Retirement Fight And It Is Sooner Than What Fans Might Expect!

Ilia Topuria Stands Firm Against Taking Another Fight

Ilia Topuria isn’t interested in proving himself at lightweight before challenging for the belt. Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience Podcast, the former featherweight champion made his position crystal clear.

“I would like to fight with Islam, that is for sure, I would like to fight him. I wouldn’t fight for a No. 1 contender fight. If Islam decides he doesn’t want to fight me. I’ll sit until you’re gonna have to fight me.”

Ilia Topuria says he would NOT fight a #1 contender fight, and only wants the title shot:

“I don’t care if Islam decides he doesn’t want to fight me. I’ll sit until you’re gonna have to fight me…

I’m here. You can’t keep avoiding me.”

🎥 @joerogan pic.twitter.com/KJoUpqEjaR
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 16, 2025

The Georgian-Spanish fighter believes he received a promise from the UFC. He claimed that vacating his featherweight title came with an understanding. His next fight would be for the lightweight championship. No warm-up fights. No contender matchups. Just straight to the big dance.

Team Makhachev, however, seems less enthusiastic about the matchup. The lightweight champion and his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov suggested Topuria needs to earn his shot first. And this kind of back-and-forth happens all the time in the UFC. Sometimes it’s strategy. Sometimes it’s genuine reluctance. Either way, it makes for great drama!

The Potential Blockbuster Matchup

A fight between Topuria and Makhachev would certainly sell tickets. Their contrasting styles make for an intriguing matchup. Makhachev brings world-class grappling with improved striking. Topuria offers devastating knockout power with underrated ground skills. Ilia Topuria isn’t shy about his chances either. He recently wrote back to Khabib about fighting Makhachev.

“Khabib knows I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. Only reason he doesn’t want Islam to fight me.”

Khabib knows I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. Only reason he doesn’t want Islam to fight me
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) April 16, 2025

The stakes couldn’t be higher for both men. For Makhachev, it’s about continuing the legacy Khabib Nurmagomedov started. For Ilia Topuria, it is a chance to become one of the few fighters to hold titles in multiple weight classes. The two-division champion club remains exclusive in UFC history. Will Topuria’s patience pay off? Or will the UFC force him to take another fight first? The ball seems to be in the promotion’s court now!

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Ilia Topuria

Islam Makhachev

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!