Preparing for his UFC 317 title bout against Charles Oliveira, Ilia Topuria has made a striking declaration regarding his potential reign as lightweight champion.
This week, UFC President Dana White surprisingly announced that Islam Makhachev relinquished his lightweight title to pursue a welterweight challenge against Jack Della Maddalena.
Consequently, it was revealed that Ilia Topuria would face Charles Oliveira for the now-vacant title headlining UFC 317 during International Fight Week.
Charles `Do Bronx` Oliveira could carve out UFC history if he reclaims the belt, potentially becoming the first lightweight to win the championship on two occasions.
Topuria Tells Makhachev to `Wait in Line`
While fans missed the immediate super fight between ‘El Matador’ and Islam Makhachev, the possibility remains for a future clash.
The two fighters have traded barbs online, with Topuria recently branding Makhachev a ‘coward’ for allegedly avoiding a fight with him.
With Topuria`s title challenge less than a month away, the Spanish contender asserted that should he claim the lightweight championship, he would not grant Makhachev an immediate title opportunity if the Russian opts to return to the division.
“From the outset, he aimed to create the impression he held the power of decision,” Topuria stated at a press conference in Spain. “Just last week, he also claimed his move to welterweight wouldn`t matter as he wasn`t vacating the title. I had previously stated I wasn`t moving to lightweight to seek permission from anyone, that I was in control.”
“So, who ended up getting their way, who did what they said? Was it him or me, as always? Therefore, after this fight, once I have the belt, he`ll need to join the back of a very long line, and someone else`s eyes will be on the prize,” Topuria concluded.
Ilia Topuria Discusses Potential Future Bout Against Paddy Pimblett
One lightweight contender likely rooting for a Topuria title win is Paddy Pimblett.
The rising British fighter is currently on a win streak and is a significant presence in the division.
`The Baddy` and Topuria share a long-standing rivalry that originated with a physical altercation at a London fighter hotel in 2022 and has since continued with online exchanges.
As Pimblett approaches title contention, a Topuria championship win would strategically position the Brit for a high-profile fight due to their history.
“He knows where the money fight is now; he needs it to fund the parties he throws,” Topuria commented on a potential clash with Pimblett.
