With Illia Topuria shooting for a UFC Lightweight championship title, one would have to wonder who is up next for Topuria?
According to Boxingnews.com, Topuria is set to take on Islam Makhachev, the Lightweight Champion.
Topuria has spoken up about his desire to be a second weight class champion, having conquered the featherweight division. He defeated Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to secure the title.
That was the first time that Volkanovski stoppage defeat. Topuria also ended Volkanovski’s four year- reign as champion and secured his best career win.
After handing Max Holloway a loss via stoppage at UFC 308, Topuria staked his claim as one of the best fighters in the world.
There were some calls for Topuria to have more defenses, but Topuria made the decision to vacate the belt as Volkanovski will now fight Diego Lopez in UFC 314.
On the other side of the octagon, Makachev secured a first-round submission victory against Renato Moicano in his last fight at UFC 311.
Commericlally, Topuria has the advantage over Makachev of being a mainstream star as the fight against Islam is much bigger. Illia is optimistic that he will fight Islam next.
UFC CEO Dana White has not guaranteed that the fight will happen.
White expressed, There’s still other possibilities. There’s a lot of s*** going on right now, otherwise I would’ve said…No, he did that. He said, ‘I’ve done everything I can do here, I’m ready to move up.’ And he vacated it. He said, ‘I shouldn’t be holding up anybody’s opportunities.’ I respect when guys do that. I think that he felt that he’d done everything, with the guys that he beat. If you look at who he beat and how he beat them, right? And I don’t think he loved making that weight anymore,”
