Ilia Topuria says UFC promised him lightweight title fight

Topuria confirms the UFC assured him a shot at the lightweight belt after vacating his featherweight title.

Fighter Ilia Topuria speaks in the press room during WOW 17 at Madrid Arena on March 29, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ilia Topuria is set to make his move to the UFC lightweight division, and the Spanish fighter claims the promotion has assured him a shot at the title. After vacating his featherweight championship, Topuria is now waiting for confirmation on his next opponent but insists that the UFC has already promised him a chance to fight for the lightweight belt.

"I'm not entirely sure what my next fight is. The only thing I'm sure of is the UFC saying that my next fight will be for the world title," Topuria said, as reported by MMA Fighting.

Topuria’s decision to move up in weight leaves the featherweight title vacant, with Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes set to battle for it in the main event of UFC 314 on April 12. However, Topuria has his eyes set on the lightweight gold and expects to be in the title picture regardless of who stands across from him in the octagon.

Uncertainty over the next opponent

Despite the UFC’s assurance that he will fight for the lightweight title, Topuria has yet to receive confirmation on whether he will challenge reigning champion Islam Makhachev or another top contender.

"That's all I know (the title fight). After that, whether it's going to be with Islam, whether it's going to be Charles, I don't know," he said.

Makhachev has been dominant at 155 pounds, but speculation has swirled that he may move up to welterweight. If that happens, the lightweight title could become vacant, leaving Topuria to face another challenger for the belt. Charles Oliveira, a former lightweight champion, has also been mentioned as a potential opponent, but nothing has been finalized.

UFC’s promise to Topuria

Topuria remains confident that the UFC will stand by its word.

"The belt is on the line. It's on the line. It was their promise to leave my title vacant. They (UFC) always keep their promises," he stated.

The 27-year-old, nicknamed "La Leyenda," is prepared to fight whoever is necessary to claim his second UFC title. Whether it is against Makhachev, Oliveira, or another top contender, Topuria insists that his goal is clear—to become a two-division champion.

Verbal altercation with Charles Oliveira

One of the potential matchups that has sparked controversy is a fight between Topuria and Oliveira. The Brazilian has previously dismissed Topuria as a serious threat, questioning whether he deserves a title fight. In response, Topuria fired back, pointing to Oliveira’s record.

"I'm not belittling (Oliveira), I'm telling the truth. He has 10 losses. I'm not saying anything else," Topuria remarked.

Oliveira, a former featherweight fighter before moving up to lightweight, has suffered 10 career defeats, including five via knockout and four by submission. Topuria reminded fans that Oliveira struggled at 145 pounds and even lost to Cub Swanson in that division.

"That's where the conversation ends," he said, dismissing any further debate about Oliveira’s credibility as a challenger.

Lightweight’s stacked competition

The lightweight division has long been considered one of the toughest in the UFC, with top contenders constantly battling for supremacy. Topuria is aware of the challenges ahead but remains confident in his abilities to succeed at 155 pounds.

"The lightweight division is the toughest division ever," he said.

With Makhachev’s future uncertain and Oliveira looking to reclaim his title, Topuria’s entry into the division adds another layer of intrigue. Whether he faces Makhachev, Oliveira, or another top-ranked fighter, the Spanish star is determined to seize the opportunity and cement his legacy as a two-division champion.

As the UFC finalizes its plans, fans eagerly await an official announcement on Topuria’s next fight. But one thing is clear—Topuria believes his moment to shine in the lightweight division is just around the corner.