Will Topuria Fight for the UFC Lightweight Title?
I haven’t dissed him [Oliveira], I’ve told the truth. He has 10 losses… – Ilia Topuria
Despite Ilia Topuria’s shocking decision to vacate the featherweight title in UFC news, one of the UFC’s most anticipated weight-class moves in history remains undecided, with scheduling and opponents still uncertain.
The 28-year-old Georgian-born, Spaniard national, defeated two of the UFC’s biggest stars (Alexander Volkanovski & Max Holloway), back-to-back, by knockout, had a street in Spain named after him, recently changed his moniker from ‘El Matador’ (The Killer) to ‘La Leyenda’ (The Legend), and is arguably Dana White’s biggest and fastest rising superstar.
Still, months after announcing his 145 lb departure, we don’t have an opponent for his lightweight debut!
With the anticipation of Topuria’s 155 lb debut leaving many lingering questions, fans have undoubtedly reached fever pitch regarding the situation. The uncertainty about La Layenda’s opponent is unknown and frustrating, but one potential opponent, Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira, is catching strays, as Topuria is making enemies before he’s even fought in his new division.
Ilia Topuria on instagram:
“No one is on my level. I’m already the lightweight champion of the world” pic.twitter.com/PV9WuOCuqn
— ჯუდოჩად (@judobetter995) March 24, 2025
ICYMI: Ilia Topuria News
- Welcome to Topuria St.: Ilia Topuria Gets a Street Named After Him
- Charles Oliveira Is Open to Fighting Ilia Topuria Under One Condition
- Ilia Topuria Teases Major UFC News: ‘You Won’t Believe It’
Topuria Beefs With Do Bronx
It’s no secret that Topuria wants to make his lightweight debut against the division’s champion, Islam Makhachev. However, when it comes to online beef lately, it’s been the former champion and top-ranked contender, Charles Oliveira, who’s engaged in a back-and-forth with the hard-hitting Georgian.
Ilia Topuria makes his entrance at #WOW17 in Madrid 🇪🇸
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 29, 2025
With Oliveira making it abundantly clear he has zero interest in fighting Topuria, La Layenda stated Do Bronx is ‘scared’ of the challenge. In response, the Brazilian MMA legend claimed Topuria is ‘disrespectful,’ while Topuria believes he’s simply spitting facts:
“I haven’t dissed him [Oliveira], I’ve told the truth. He has 10 losses,” Topuria commented at the WOW 17 press conference in Madrid. “He says the lightweight division is the toughest there is. When he was fighting at 145 lbs [featherweight], Cub Swanson beat him up,” Topuria added.
Ouch. When the Cub Swanson references come out, there isn’t much to fire back with, so it’ll be interesting to see how Do Bronx responds. For reference, Swanson, a journeyman and not a top contender, defeated Oliveira in the first round at UFC 152, while Topuria remains undefeated in UFC fights.
Ilia Topuria responds to Charles Oliveira calling his comments ‘disrespectful’:
“I haven’t dissed [Charles], I’ve told the truth. He has 10 losses…
He says [lightweight] is the toughest division there is. When he was fighting at 145, Cub Swanson beat him up.” 😳
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 30, 2025
The UFC Promised Topuria a Lightweight Title Shot
While Topuria’s sh*t-talking any fellow fighters is top-class entertainment and amusing for the masses, the most intriguing moment of his recent press conference talk shines a brighter light on his UFC lightweight debut.
“I’m not entirely sure what my next fight will be; the only thing I’m sure of is that the UFC’s word is that my next fight will be for the world title,” Topuria said. “That was the promise for leaving my title vacant; they’ve always kept their promises.”
Ilia Topuria is confident that his next fight will be for the lightweight title:
🗣️ Reporter: “If I understand you correctly, either Makhachev runs away and goes up, or Makhachev has to go in the octagon against Topuria.”
🗣️ Topuria: “You’re right.” 👀👀
🎥 @IratiPratSC /… pic.twitter.com/qmAUyHQyBm
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 30, 2025
That’s an interesting statement because it evidently leaves just one opponent for La Layenda’s lightweight debut —the reigning champion, Islam Makhachev.
Or does it?
The only other scenario is that Makhachev moves to the welterweight division, where Belal Muhammad currently reigns as the champion, and Topuria would fight another opponent for the vacated 155 lb strap. This, however, seems extreme and unlikely, despite Makhachev’s past desire to move up a weight class himself.
Why? Muhammad has close relations with Makhachev and his team. Also, Belal has an upcoming title defense, which would ultimately put the Dagestani on an extended absence even if he were to break the friendship code.
I honestly think Ilia Topuria is the best thing to happen to the UFC in the last 5 years.
UFC lacks rivalries and bad blood nowadays, someone like Topuria and his cocky attitude is exactly what this sport needs right now pic.twitter.com/WgdirtLPtj
— Kenny Okoye🇳🇬 (@TruthfulUfcFan) March 25, 2025
No matter who Topuria faces in his 155lb debut, we know the odds will be more intriguing than usual. Would you position La Leyenda as a favorite versus Makhachev? Could Oliveira be the plus-money underdog worth backing?
It’ll be one of the biggest UFC rumors this year, and we cannot wait until the announcement drops on who Ilia ‘La Leyenda’ Topuria fights next!
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