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Alexander Volkanovski tells ex-rival Ilia Topuria what he sacrificed by moving to lightweight

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 2:12 PM ET

Ilia Topuria’s pursuit of legacy-defining accomplishments in the UFC may have dented his chances in one category, according to Alexander Volkanovski.

Topuria knocked out Volkanovski at UFC 298 to win his first title in February 2024. After a sole successful defense followed against Max Holloway, the Spaniard bid farewell to the featherweight division.

‘El Matador’ has since reached a different throne, with Topuria violently stopping Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim the vacant crown at lightweight and remain undefeated.

Topuria is on a fast-track to greatness on MMA’s biggest stage, but he’s been told that his strategy in doing so has prevented him from joining a number of legends in a major debate.

Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images

Alexander Volkanovski eliminates Ilia Topuria from the UFC featherweight GOAT debate

During a recent appearance on Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast podcast, Volkanovski discussed the growing trend of champions targeting quick opportunities at winning other divisional titles.

The Australian explained that he has no issue in instances where belts are vacated, such as Topuria’s lightweight move. But he insisted that his former rival gave up the right to contend for featherweight GOAT status by ending his reign after just one defense.

“You took out the two guys, I guess the old era…now we want to see how you do against the new school,” Volkanovski said. “That’s what I loved about me fighting Diego (Lopes)…the young era.

“It’s tricky if you were trying to hold two belts. The fact that they (Topuria and others) were vacating, relinquishing the belt, letting it go to move up, I think I’m okay with that. Because now you are committing to that division.

“But does that put you in GOAT status in that division? No, you’re not…he hasn’t had the defenses. … It’s not legacy-defining.”

Ilia Topuria will follow UFC’s wishes by staying at lightweight — for now

Volkanovski went on to suggest that lightweight GOAT status remains attainable for Topuria if he goes on to record multiple defenses. However, a desire to make history as the UFC’s first-ever three-weight champion could get in the way of that.

But while Topuria has been open about his welterweight plan, it doesn’t seem like an immediate exit from the 155-pound weight class is imminent.

During an appearance on the UFC’s About Last Fight show, the champ seemed to highlight why he made no mention of rival Islam Makhachev in his Octagon interview at UFC 317, revealing the promise Topuria made to the UFC regarding a potential welterweight switch.

“I’ve thought about it, but the last conversation I had with the UFC, they personally asked me the favor, ‘Don’t tell us after the fight that you want to move to the welterweight division. Make us a promise.’

“I was like, ‘Ah, I promise,’” he added, while jokingly crossing his fingers.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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