Ilia Topuria needs to battle Islam Makhachev by hell or excessive water. Topuria and Makhachev not too long ago vacated the UFC featherweight and light-weight titles, respectively, to pursue belts in numerous weight lessons. The gap between them will not cease Topuria’s chase.
Topuria and former UFC light-weight champion Charles Oliveira battle for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 317. The announcement precipitated a combination of enthusiasm and disappointment. It is a terrific headliner for UFC Worldwide Combat Week on June 28, but it surely meant we would not see Makhachev vs. Topuria. Makhachev’s deliberate transfer to welterweight has not dissuaded Topuria’s need to beat who many deem to be the perfect pound-for-pound fighter right this moment.
“If Islam turns into the welterweight world champion, for positive I’ll push for that shot additionally,” Topuria stated at a pre-fight press convention.
“If he wins the title, and I win the title within the light-weight division, possibly I transfer up or he comes right down to the light-weight division and we’ve the battle that everybody needs to see.”
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Topuria (16-0) was eager to battle Makhachev (27-1) for the light-weight title, however welcomes the chance to make a press release in opposition to Oliveira. Although Makhachev stays his high goal, he will not wait round for the previous light-weight champ.
“I needed to face him as a result of he was the man who was dominating everybody in that weight division,” Topuria stated. “However at the top of the day, I am unable to management what they do.
“The one factor I can management is what I do, so I needed to maneuver up, I needed to battle for a title, and that is what I am doing. He determined to maneuver up additionally, so I cannot do the rest, and go and battle whoever needs to battle me.”