Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria was one of the winners of the bonus UFC 308 / Reproduction Instagram UFC
the desire to Ilia Topuria The idea of giving up the UFC featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg) for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg) seems to be more than just lip service. Days after the Georgian-Spanish revealed the plan, it was Jorge Climent, the champion's coach, who confirmed it.
In a recent interview with the 'Submission Radio' podcast, Climent explained the real reason behind the sudden decision made by Ilia Topuria.
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“The reality is that I think he (Topuria) hates this weight. He has to cut weight, he does it every time and it’s always very difficult. He doesn’t want to do it anymore. That’s why I want to move up to the next weight class, because he thinks his natural weight is lightweight. In the beginning, Ilia fought at 61kg and he was young. Your body changes. When you’re 20 you have one body, at 25 you have another and at 30 you have another. We decided this because he wants to feel better. Sometimes Ilia is weighing 84kg and he needs to be at 66. We do a big weight cut,” explained the coach.
Aware that he may not be entitled to an immediate belt dispute in the new category, Ilia Topuria pointed Charles of the Bronx, former champion and number one in the ranking, as a preferred target. Jorge Climent went further and indicated Dustin poirier as another possible target, but assured that his pupil will be ready to face any name available in May.
“I assume that if he moves up a weight class, the belt will be vacant. I don’t know what will happen if he doesn’t want to defend it. He left it in the hands of the UFC. I don’t think they will give him the opportunity to fight directly for the lightweight belt, but he wants to fight guys at the top of the weight class. The best opportunity is to fight Charles, the number 1 in the rankings, but if that’s not an option, why not Poirier? I think Ilia is prepared to fight anyone who wants to fight in May. Whatever fate says, we will accept,” he concluded.
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