Ilia
Topuria is trying to assert himself among the lightweight
elites.
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Topuria won the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander
Volkanovski at UFC 298 last year and defended it by knocking
out Max
Holloway at UFC 308.
“El Matador” then recently vacated his title, citing a lack of
fresh contenders at 145 pounds — though an arduous weight cut may
have had something to do with that move.
While Topuria has been plotting an immediate title shot at
lightweight, the Georgian-Spaniard might have to prove himself
against a legitimate contender at 155 pounds first. Former champ
Charles
Oliveira recently removed his name from the mix, saying a
matchup with Topuria won’t be enticing enough until the former
featherweight champ has fought a seasoned lightweight.
Responding to “do Bronx,” Topuria claims he isn’t asking for any
favors. Topuria proclaimed himself the “father of the division”
while granting Oliveira contender status based on his career
losses.
“Charles, it’s better if you stay quiet,” Topuria wrote. “You have
10 losses: [five] by knockout, [four] by submission, and [one] by
decision. You are the contender, while I am the champion, the
father of the entire division. I haven’t come here to ask anything.
Here, I am the one in charge.”
Charles, it’s better if you stay quiet. You
have 10 losses: 5 by knockout, 4 by submission, and 1 by decision.
You are the contender, while I am the champion, the father of the
entire division. I haven’t come here to ask anything. Here, I am
the one in charge.— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia)
March 22, 2025
Oliveira saw an 11-fight winning streak end in a lightweight title
bout against Islam
Makhachev in 2022. The Brazilian has since sandwiched a split
decision loss against Arman
Tsarukyan between wins over Beneil
Dariush and Michael
Chandler.
Meanwhile, Topuria has finished 14 of his 16 career wins so far,
six of which came in the UFC.