Ilia Topuria’s decision to shift to the lightweight division has been a topic of considerable discussion, especially given the insights shared by his manager about his strategic move.
Fresh from back-to-back knockouts against top fighters Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria, boasting a flawless record of 16-0 in MMA and 8-0 in the UFC, made the surprising choice to leave his featherweight title behind and step up to the 155-pound category.
This decision left many wondering, as his opportunities at featherweight included a potential rematch with Volkanovski and challenges from seasoned contenders like Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev. Malki Kawa, Topuria’s manager, shed light on the situation, explaining that the decision was significantly influenced by the strain of weight cutting.
“The reality is, dropping weight is quite taxing for him,” Kawa elaborated during an appearance on ‘The Ariel Helwani Show.’ “When you’ve been immersed in the industry for years like us, you pick up on a few key insights. If you’re a champion, going toe-to-toe with top-tier opponents like Volkanovski, Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev, and Max Holloway, you need to consider longevity.”
He continued, “Battling the world’s elite means not just facing them in the octagon but also preserving your career span. Constantly cutting that much weight isn’t just challenging; it eats away at your fighting years. For Ilia, it’s nearly a 50-pound cut each time, which prompts this move to 155 pounds. I’m certain Islam will entertain the idea—a title bout seems assured, but that ball isn’t in our court, it’s in theirs.”
But Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, doesn’t seem enthused about facing another ex-featherweight like Topuria, especially following his recent defenses against former 145-pound champion Volkanovski. Yet, Ilia Topuria seems to have something up his sleeve, hinting at an announcement that promises to be quite the shocker.
“When we announce it, you won’t believe it. Get ready,” Topuria shared, adding an air of mystery and excitement.
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