Ilia Topuria trusts Dana White and the UFC.
The featherweight champion is moving to the lightweight division and will vacate his current belt. Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes are scheduled to fight for the featherweight title at UFC 314 on April 12. Topuria is waiting for confirmation if his next fight will be against lightweight champion Islam Makhachev or another top contender for a chance at the title.
After attending an event in Madrid, Spain, Topuria told the media that the UFC has guaranteed his next fight will be for the lightweight championship.
“I’m not completely sure about my next opponent,” Topuria said in Spanish. “But I am certain that the UFC promised my next fight will be for the world title. That’s all I know. Whether it will be against Islam or Charles, I don`t know.”
“The lightweight belt will be at stake,” he added. “That was the promise when I agreed to vacate my featherweight title. They have always kept their promises.”
Topuria didn`t specify that he must fight Makhachev. He indicated that either Makhachev will defend his title against him, or Makhachev will move up to the welterweight division, allowing Topuria to compete for the vacant lightweight belt against another contender.
One potential contender is Charles Oliveira, who Topuria has shown interest in fighting, leading to some verbal exchanges between them. However, Oliveira recently downplayed Topuria, stating he is not a “big fight,” which Topuria strongly refuted by pointing out Oliveira`s career losses.
“I haven’t insulted Oliveira, I’ve spoken the truth,” Topuria stated. “He has 10 losses. I haven’t said anything untrue. He has 10 losses – five by knockout, four by submission, and one by decision. He claims lightweight is the toughest division. But even at featherweight, Cub Swanson defeated him. That ends the argument.
“He achieved at lightweight what he couldn`t at featherweight, becoming champion. So why is lightweight tougher than featherweight, my division? It doesn’t make sense. That’s why I said it seems he hasn’t read any news. If stating the truth is disrespectful, I don’t understand when telling the truth became disrespectful.”
