Ilia Topuria has given up his featherweight belt to compete permanently in the lightweight division. However, it’s not guaranteed he’ll get a chance to fight for the lightweight championship right away.
UFC CEO Dana White has mentioned that Topuria’s next opponent is still undecided, and it might not be the current lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. Topuria has expressed interest in fighting Makhachev, but Makhachev seems uninterested. He argues he’s already defeated former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski twice and isn’t eager to face another fighter moving up from featherweight.
Matt Brown, a UFC veteran, understands Makhachev’s position, especially if Topuria expects an immediate title shot in the lightweight division.
“If I were Islam, I wouldn’t accept that fight,” Brown stated on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast. “I agree with his point. He doesn’t need to fight another former featherweight.”
Brown elaborated, noting Makhachev has already fought and defeated Volkanovski, who came from the featherweight division. Brown believes Topuria has earned the right to contend for a title in any weight class, but he should first have a fight at lightweight to prove himself before challenging for the championship.
Dana White recently disclosed that Topuria chose to vacate his featherweight title because of the difficulty of cutting weight to 145 pounds. Topuria also wanted to allow the featherweight division to progress without him holding up the title.
While Topuria’s champion status might have given him leverage for an immediate title shot, Brown suggests that a fight against a top lightweight contender like Arman Tsarukyan or Charles Oliveira would be more beneficial. A win against such an opponent would significantly enhance Topuria’s reputation in the lightweight division.
“Who should he fight? That’s exciting,” Brown said about Topuria’s next fight. “Charles Oliveira? Absolutely! Who else is there for him? Arman Tsarukyan? That’s incredibly exciting. It would be a real test of whether he can compete with Islam. Stylistically, there are similarities there. Charles is always exciting to watch.”
“It feels like anyone aiming for the 155-pound title needs to go through Charles Oliveira. He’s become that gatekeeper. He’s been a champion himself, and if you want to reach the top, you need to be able to beat him.”
Brown believes that having Topuria earn his title shot by fighting another highly-ranked lightweight would not only satisfy Makhachev but also give Topuria a chance to demonstrate his ability against larger, stronger opponents.
At 5-foot-7, Topuria is considered relatively small for the lightweight division. This is why Brown was initially surprised to hear Topuria was leaving the 145-pound weight class.
“My first thought was that he’s quite small for 155,” Brown commented on Topuria’s move. “He wasn’t big for 145 either. I was surprised he found it hard to make that weight.”
Brown jokingly added, “I’ve only seen him on TV, but I heard he likes to drink wine while cutting weight. Maybe that’s why he’s struggling to make weight. He should stop drinking wine and drink water instead.”
Joking aside, Brown emphasizes that the decision ultimately rests with Makhachev. As champion, Makhachev has earned the right to choose his preferred challengers, especially as he continues to build his legacy in the sport.
While this might not please Topuria or fans eager for a high-profile fight, Brown understands Makhachev’s perspective. Fighting another former featherweight champion jumping to lightweight for a title shot might not be the most compelling matchup for Makhachev at this point.
“From Islam’s perspective, it doesn’t make much sense,” Brown concluded. “Topuria has earned a title shot in general, having beaten Max Holloway and Volkanovski. But for Islam, it’s not a necessary fight. I understand both sides, but ultimately, Islam is the champion, and challengers should have to earn their fight against him.”
