Ilia Topuria Says ‘Camp Has Begun’ 🥊
Ilia Topuria will be fighting at International Fight Week, for a title, I am told… – Alvaro Colmenero
Finally, one of the most beloved and fastest-rising superstars in the UFC today has announced that he’s started preparations for his next fight.
Ilia Topuria, who’s also referred to as La Leyenda since a moniker switch-up, has been absent from competitive MMA action since his knockout victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October.
Six months have passed, and a lot has happened in Topuria’s world. Aside from thriving in the hype of knocking out two of the greatest fighters ever (Volkanovski & Holloway) in back-to-back appearances, he vacated the featherweight title and announced his move to the lightweight division.
Who do you think Ilia Topuria will fight for the title? #UFC317 pic.twitter.com/RLtyyD2bX5
— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) April 23, 2025
UFC rumors have been rampant since Topuria departed from the 145-lb weight class. However, the Spanish native of Georgian descent revealed that he’s promised a title opportunity. That would mean his debut at 155 pounds would come against the pound-for-pound No.1 and current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.
Despite the claims, Makhachev and his team have disputed the rumors and claimed that it’s unfair for Makhachev to fight another former featherweight.
Now, with a clear blank spot on the UFC 317 main event, speculation is rife since Topuria told his fan base that he’s started a training camp.
the camp has begun
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) April 22, 2025
Will Topuria Headline UFC 317?
Yesterday, La Leyenda gave us a short but sweet post on X to get excited about.
He posted: “The camp has begun.” As a result, the MMA community lost its sh*t with excitement.
Adding more fuel to the excitement fire, MMA journalist Alvaro Colmenero alleged that Topuria will headline UFC 317 this June.
“Ilia Topuria will be fighting at International Fight Week, for a title, I am told,” Colmenero said.
🚨| Ilia Topuria WILL fight for the UFC lightweight title at #UFC317 on June 28th, per @KOlmeneroMMA.
– If Islam Makhachev stays at LW, he will defend against Ilia Topuria
– If Makhachev goes up to WW, Topuria will fight Charles Oliveira for the VACANT lightweight title pic.twitter.com/gKHNyDMU8O
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) April 23, 2025
Later that day, UFC reporting O.G. Ariel Helwani discussed the matter at hand and believed that only two potential opponents could be matched with Topuria, and that an undisputed (not interim) title would be on the line.
“As discussed on the show today, Ilia is going to fight on June 28,” Helwani said. “The question is, will it be against Islam for the 155 belt, or will it be against Charles [Oliveira] for the vacant? We should know soon. But he should 100% be on there and he should 100% fight for gold.”
me trying to break into the UFC War Room to find out who tf Ilia Topuria is fighting pic.twitter.com/6EIAeKtvRw
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) April 23, 2025
Oliveira or Makhachev
With the latest UFC news surrounding Topuria being the main topic of discussion, we’ll be pondering his potential opponent until an official announcement is made. That said, I believe I speak for the entire fanbase when I say that we hope it’s Makhachev. A fight with Makhachev would arguably be one of the top-five most anticipated fights in UFC history.
So, at this point, and according to recent reports, Makhachev will either vacate the lightweight title and contend versus Belel Muhammad or Jack Della Maddalena for the 170lb title, or he’ll defend his lightweight gold against Topuria. If the latter comes to fruition, it would seem that Topuria and Oliveira will compete for the vacated lightweight strap.
Either way, the MMA fan base is sick and tired of fighters (Cough, Makhachev, cough, Jon Jones) prolonging others’ absence from competing in UFC fights, and respected talents such as Topuria and Tom Aspinall are being sidelined as a result.
🚨 Islam Makhachev has NOT rejected the fight yet, but he could possibly be STRIPPED if he says no
Ilia Topuria’s next fight will NOT be for an interim, its the VACANT/UNDISPUTED
Original plan was Khamzat v DDP @ UFC 317, Topuria stepped in to save the event
via @KOlmeneroMMA pic.twitter.com/k7aKA2zZ4k
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) April 23, 2025
Let the best fight the best, it’s that damn simple… If not, vacate the title and keep it moving. And with this situation in particular, this is what seems to be the plan!
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