Ilia Topuria is still campaigning for a move up to lightweight.
Since knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308, Topuria has consistently made the case for a lightweight title shot or, barring that, a different top opponent at 155 pounds. Considering Topuria only has one title defense to his name and there are a bevy of contenders waiting for their chance at the featherweight belt, it seems a bit quick for “El Matador” to jump up, but that certainly isn’t stopping him from trying.
“I really believe I can beat the current champion, Islam,” Topuria told the Full Send podcast. “I really think that. He’s a great champion. You can’t be a world champion by chance; you have to do things great. But I like the competition, and I don’t like to be a bully and fight with people that I know 100 percent that I’m going to whoop his ass. I like to fight with people that the fans think that it’s going to be very competitive. That kind of expectation, I like to create. With Islam, I’m going to have that.
“Doing the rematch with people I’ve already fought, I don’t think that I’m going to have the same kind of expectations from the fans.”
While nothing is official yet, rumors have circled that a rematch with former champion Alexander Volkanovski is what the UFC wants next for Topuria. And despite what he said, Topuria is also aware that he can’t underestimate Volkanovski despite his win in the first fight, saying he “can’t joke with that guy.” Nevertheless, Topuria still can’t get his mind off the possibilities at lightweight.
“There are so many exciting fights in the lightweight division for me,” Topuria said. “Arman [Tsarukyan] needs to build himself a little more but at this point, just imagine a fight between me and — I love that dog, Dustin Poirier. He’s a f*cking fighter. You know that he goes in and he fights. Until he dies, you know you’re going to have that guy in front of you fighting and trying to take your head off. That’s a very exciting fight for me and I think for the fans also. Islam is a great fight, Charles is a great fight, Justin Gaethje is a great fight. I can mention you so many great fights that I could have in the lightweight division.”
And, of course, the fight he wants most is a pound-for-pound matchup with Islam Makhachev.
“I have so many things against Islam that he’s going to have a hard time against me,” Topuria said. “He knows and we all know that the only thing I need is one punch. And you know for sure I’m going to connect that one punch because I don’t throw my punches like crazy. I’m waiting for my moment and I apply a lot of technique behind that punch. ... We all know that at some point I will connect that punch and everything will depend on what God will decide. If he wants to send Islam to sleep or not, who knows that?”
TOP STORIES
Crossover. Oleksandr Usyk vs. Alex Pereira? At this point, why not?
Size. Paddy Pimblett is happy to show rival Ilia Topuria that size matters if the UFC featherweight champion wants a challenge at 155 pounds.
Gone. Paul Hughes criticizes Conor McGregor, but acknowledges it’s not the Conor McGregor we once knew.
Busy. Movsar Evloev wants to keep marching forward in 2025 with a title shot in reach.
Betrayal. Jason Jackson doesn’t understand why anyone thought it was a good idea to release footage of Kevin Lee’s sparring dust-up.
Feud. Quinton Jackson might not be satisfied with a war of words with Anthony Smith.
VIDEO STEW
Between the Links with Jed Meshew and Brian Campbell.
Damon Martin talks to PFL stars Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes.
UFC 312 Fight Motion.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
No Bets Barred. Jed Meshew tells you where to put your money on a low-key UFC Vegas 102 lineup.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Big year planned.
By December I will have knocked KSi, Jake Paul & Tommy Fury out & we’ll all be done with the circus.
— DT (@darrentill2) February 13, 2025
You are all welcome!
Back soon, Blessed.
We working on the date!
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) February 12, 2025
Damn, two years ago now?
Make it so.
Hey brother @seanshelby may 3rd UFC is at home in Desmoine Iowa. I would love nothing more then to fight at home, I stepped up on 5 days notice in Utahs elevation and stepped up on 3 days to help in Colorados elevation. Plus the whole state wants to see it, help a brother out pic.twitter.com/IynS1rDkBP
— Darrius Flowers (@BeastmodeUFC) February 13, 2025
Poirier knows.
Great match up!! Can't wait to see that! Gonna be a WAR https://t.co/NZTkKWfwKd
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 13, 2025
Arnold Allen knows marketing.
Can someone make some ai shit with @joerogan intensely explaining how wearing https://t.co/jgVGSPUx6D will send your T levels through the roof and make you stay hard for longer (David Goggins)
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) February 13, 2025
So many ads like that now pic.twitter.com/in9nL7HP9V
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Alonzo Menifield (15-5-1) vs. Julius Walker (6-0); UFC Seattle, Feb. 22
Nursulton Ruziboev (34-9-2) vs. Eric McConico (9-2-1); UFC Seattle, Feb. 22
Adrian Lee (2-0) vs. Shozo Isojima (5-0); ONE 172, March 23
Josh Emmett (19-4) vs. Lerone Murphy (15-0-1); UFC Vegas 105, April 5
Julian Erosa (30-11) vs. Darren Elkins (29-11); UFC 314, April 12
FINAL THOUGHTS
Topuria dismissing Arman really gives the game away. “Yes, I would like to fight either the champion or any one of these old fighters who are past their primes and have a big name. I do not want to fight the No. 1 contender who is young and good.”
Like, come on, man! If every champion can just say, “No, I don’t need to fight the deserving contenders because I know I’ll win so that’s pointless” then what the heck are we even doing here?
This stuff was terrible when Jon Jones was doing it to fight Stipe but at least Jon has a good case for being the GOAT. Topuria has one title defense! Please, make this madness stop.
Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.
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