Ilia Topuria moved up to UFC lightweight this year. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @iliatopuria
Although nothing has been officially announced by the UFC, the MMA community is anxious to know what will be the outcome of the turbulent scenario of the departure of Ilia Topuria to the lightweight category (up to 70,3 kg). The former featherweight champion (up to 65,7 kg) left the title vacant – which today belongs to Alexander Volkanovsky – with the fight for the belt Islam makhachev in mind, claiming that the organization promised him an immediate confrontation. But the Russian's statements dismissing the chances of facing the Georgian-Spanish have left the scenario uncertain.
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However, with the information that both fighters started the preparation for their next UFC fights, the expectation is that both will face each other next. One of the rumors points to a possible confrontation at UFC 317, on June 28, as the main event of the 'International Fight Week'.
But Topuria's rush to face Makhachev for the lightweight title has raised a question for one UFC legend. The former light heavyweight champion (up to 93kg.) Quinton Rampage Jackson believes that this fact shows that the Georgian-Spanish does not intend to have a long career in MMA and may already be aiming for retirement.
“[Topuria] doesn’t want to fight a challenger, he wants to go straight for the [lightweight title]. So, you know what that means? He’s getting ready to retire… I think if he does that, he’ll retire,” he said. Rampage No. 'Jaxxon Podcast'. (see below)
After hearing Ilia Topuria wants to skip contenders and go straight for the champion, Rampage Jackson says it's a sign he's preparing to withdraw ⏳
Back in Dec 2024, Topuria told Spanish broadcaster Juanma Castaño: “I'm 27. I hope to be out by 30. Right now, in my division I… pic.twitter.com/CwqMm51EaE
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) April 29, 2025
In fact, in December last year, Topuria, who is 27, told Spanish presenter Juanma Castaño that he planned to stop at 30, as he no longer felt motivated to defend his featherweight belt. At the time, the Georgian-Spanish fighter also revealed his desire to move up a weight class to 'see how everything would turn out'.
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