Ilia Topuria obtained nearly all the things he needed at UFC 317.
“El Matador” scored a surprising knockout of Charles Oliveira on this previous Saturday’s important occasion to assert a vacant light-weight championship, preserve his undefeated file, and be part of the unique record of UFC fighters to carry titles in two weight courses. He beforehand reigned as featherweight king, knocking out all-time greats Alexander Oliveira and Max Holloway in championship bouts.
Whereas Topuria is relishing his accomplishment, it was barely dimmed by Oliveira not being the incumbent champion. The light-weight title was vacated by Islam Makhachev, who can also be shifting up a division to welterweight to problem Jack Della Maddalena.
It’s Makhachev that Topuria had in his sights when he jumped as much as 155 kilos.
“Sooner or later I used to be just a little bit unhappy as a result of I didn’t wish to battle towards [Oliveira] for the reason that starting,” Topuria advised TMZ Sports activities. “My actual objective all the time was Islam, however since he determined to run away, it must be Charles.”
“Pay attention, I believe that [Makhachev] took an important determination,” he continued. “If the UFC would supply him to battle towards Justin Gaethje or one other contender within the division, I believe that he would keep at 155, however with me developing, he was, like, ‘I don’t need to take this threat. I’m going to maneuver as much as 170, I’m going to attempt to get one other belt’ and that’s all as a result of he is aware of that I’m harmful. He is aware of that I’m going to place him to sleep. The one purpose they don’t need me to battle towards him is as a result of they know that I’m going to beat him.”
Makhachev and his mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov had been beforehand reluctant to call Topuria as a worthy challenger, given his inexperience at light-weight. It wasn’t till after Makhachev’s shut buddy Belal Muhammad misplaced the welterweight title to Della Maddalena this previous Could that the trail turned clear for Makhachev to maneuver as much as 170 and for the UFC to announce Topuria vs. Oliveira.
That mentioned, Makhachev isn’t off the hook so far as Topuria is worried. If Makhachev beats Della Maddalena, Topuria is prepared to bulk up even additional to face Makhachev and add one other belt to his assortment.
“Ideally, I might like to see Islam getting the title and the UFC letting me go as much as 170 and getting the third belt,” Topuria mentioned.
Whether or not he ever fights Makhachev or not, Topuria has positioned himself on the forefront of the pound-for-pound debate and is arguably the promotion’s largest star given his international recognition. Together with his previous three wins, he’s additionally made the case for having authored probably the most spectacular run in MMA historical past.
“I believe so,” Topuria mentioned. “Three legends. Alex Volkanovski, he was dominating the entire division. Max Holloway, one other legend of the game. And now Charles Oliveira. I believe that it’s the best run.”
