Ilia Topuria announced daring goals at a press conference in Las Vegas on June 20, 2025. The former UFC featherweight champion revealed his plan to challenge for the welterweight title if Islam Makhachev, who vacated the lightweight belt, wins it. Topuria’s vision points to a massive future fight between two top fighters.
Ilia Topuria, a 28-year-old from Georgia, holds an undefeated 16-0 MMA record. He entered the UFC in 2020, debuting with a knockout over Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night 179. Topuria seized the featherweight title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024. He defended it against Max Holloway with another knockout at UFC 308 in October 2024. Topuria vacated his featherweight belt in February 2025 to pursue lightweight glory. He now faces Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025.
Islam Makhachev, a 33-year-old from Dagestan, owns a 27-1 MMA record. He captured the UFC lightweight title by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 in October 2022. Makhachev defended his belt four times, defeating Volkanovski twice in 2023, Dustin Poirier via D’Arce choke in June 2024, and Renato Moicano via D’Arce choke in the first round at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025. His Moicano win set a UFC lightweight record for four consecutive title defenses. Makhachev vacated his lightweight title in May 2025 to challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena, who defeated Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, at an unconfirmed date later in 2025.
Topuria’s Welterweight Dream
Topuria aims to follow Makhachev to welterweight if both secure new titles.
“If Islam becomes the welterweight world champion, for sure I’m going to push for that shot also,” Topuria said during the press conference. He imagines a title clash at lightweight or welterweight. “We’ll see how he does in the welterweight division,” Topuria said. “If he wins the title, and I win the title in the lightweight division, maybe I move up or he comes down to the lightweight division and we have the fight that everyone wants to see.”
Topuria originally targeted Makhachev at lightweight.
“To be honest, I wanted to face him because he was the guy who was dominating everyone in that weight division,” Topuria added. “But at the end of the day, I can’t control what they do. The only thing I can control is what I do, so I wanted to move up, I wanted to fight for a title, and this is what I’m doing. He decided to move up also, so I can’t do anything else, and go and fight whoever wants to fight me.” Topuria acknowledges Makhachev’s choice. “[He moved up] because he has his own goals, is what I think.”
Topuria’s lightweight title fight against Oliveira at UFC 317 could set him up for welterweight if he wins. Makhachev’s welterweight challenge against Della Maddalena, expected in late 2025, remains unscheduled. A victory for both could lead to a monumental showdown, with Topuria aiming to become the first UFC three-division champion.
Topuria, with a 16-0 record, seeks to cement his legacy across multiple divisions. His knockout power drives his confidence against Makhachev. Makhachev, with a 27-1 record, aims to claim a second belt to enhance his dominance. Topuria’s callout lays the groundwork for a thrilling future encounter.
