The tables have turned! Topuria warns he won't give Makhachev an immediate title shot after UFC 317

Ilia Topuria (left) fighting against Alexander Volkanovsky (dir.) in UFC 298. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFCNews

It seems like Ilia Topuria held a grudge against Islam makhachev. Earlier this year, the former featherweight champion (up to 65,7 kg) moved up a weight class under the UFC's promise that he would have an immediate title fight against the lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg). However, the Russian fighter decided to move up to the welterweight category (up to 77 kg) to face Jack Della Maddalena for the belt, avoiding the clash against Topuria, who will now fight for the gold left by Makhachev against Charles of the Bronx No. UFC 317.

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And it's a good thing Makhachev's welterweight plans work out, because, if it depends on Topuria, the pupil of Khabib Nurmagomedov won't get the chance to fight for the lightweight title again any time soon. The Georgian-Spanish fighter said that if he wins gold against Charles of the Bronx, will not give the Russian an immediate opportunity for a title fight.

“You know, from the beginning he wanted to give the impression that he had some kind of decision. He also said about a week ago: ‘My move up to middleweight is not going to matter because I’m not planning on giving up my title,’ and I had already said before that I didn’t move up to lightweight to ask anything from anyone and that I was the one in charge. So who got what he wanted, who did what he said? As always, him or me? So after this fight, when I have the belt, he can join the queue, which is long, and someone’s eyes will light up,” Topuria said during a press conference in Spain. (see below)

Topuria on potential fight against Makhachev: "He said he wouldn't vacate his title and I said he ruled the division and who has gotten away with it? Me. After this fight, when I have the belt, he might get in line, which is a long one, so more than one's eyes will be shining" pic.twitter.com/rppCH3UdjZ

— Álvaro Colmenero (@KOlmeneroMMA) May 18, 2025

Officially stripped of his lightweight belt, Makhachev and his team consistently stated that they had no interest in facing Topuria in the Octagon. The reason was that, according to the Russians, Islam's victories over the featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovsky, are undervalued due to the fact that the Australian is not a 70kg athlete.

The fight between Topuria and Do Bronx will be the main one of the UFC 317, which is part of the 'International Fight Week', on June 28th.