A lot can change in a day.
During the
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s media day for
UFC 312, current featherweight kingpin Ilia
Topuria (16-0)—who is in Australia cornering brother Aleksandre
Topuria—suggested
that he had one name in mind if he remained at 145 pounds: Alexander
Volkanovski. He also continued floating the idea of moving up
to lightweight to challenge Islam
Makhachev. On Thursday, however, Topuria informed Sherdog he
had a different name in mind.
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“Diego
[Lopes] has this profile, he is aggressive and brings dynamism
to the Octagon,” Topuria said to the surprise of some. “He does
what the public wants to see: he fights for real, not to simply
survive. And that’s what I want for my next fight. I don’t want an
opponent who just controls the pace, I want someone who really
challenges me.”
Whether this means Topuria has changed course, or if he is
intentionally giving different outlets different answers to
generate confusion or interest, it is unclear. What is clear,
however, is how Topuria views the unbeaten Russian Movsar
Evloev.
“I fight to entertain the fans,” the Spanish fighter by way of
Georgia said confidently. “I don’t want someone who just seeks
victory by any means necessary. I need someone who has something
relevant to show. Movsar has victories, but they are decisions, and
he doesn’t submit anyone. I can knock him out in the first round.
For me, what matters is a fight that excites people, that has
something impactful.”
Given the champion’s statements, Sherdog reached out to Lopes, who
did not expect Topuria to speak about him so complimentarily.
“I think those comments caught everyone by surprise since he had
said he was going to defend his title against Volkanovski for his
next fight, but who knows. [A] fight with him for the title next
would be perfect, let’s see what UFC will decide. In case Topuria
truly decides to move up to 155, I’d like to fight against
Volkanovski, whether it’s a title fight or not, or an interim
title. I’d want to fight him. If he’s going to be left without a
fight, I’m here,” the Brazilian concluded.