Ilia Topuria has been vocal about chasing Islam Makhachev after claiming the lightweight belt against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on Saturday, but there’s a catch.
The former 145-pound champion, who headlines the International Fight Week pay-per-view card in Las Vegas, said in a scrum with Spanish media he only wants to face the Russian star if Makhachev wins the welterweight belt from Jack Della Maddalena.
Topuria mentioned this past week that “maybe I move up or he comes down to the lightweight division and we have the fight that everyone wants to see” in case both win their upcoming title bouts.
That plan, however, is off the table for Topuria if Makhachev fails in his attempt to claim the 170-pound later this year and decides to move back down to lightweight.
“If he loses I don’t give him anything,” Topuria said (h/t Alvaro Colmenero). “If he loses, nothing. Let him get in line.”
Topuria challenged for UFC gold after winning six in a row in the UFC, four by stoppage, and shocked the world with a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to become the featherweight champion. His lone defense came against Max Holloway, another fight won by knockout, and he then vacated the title to move up to lightweight.
Oliveira, his opponent at T-Mobile Arena this weekend, is a former lightweight champion with 23 victories and 20 finishes in 34 octagon appearances. His résumée includes major stoppage victories over the likes of Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler.
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