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Ilia Topuria: 'I have conquered my division'

Originally posted on MMA Weekly | By Jeff Cain | Last updated Dec 12, 2024 9:53 PM ET

Undefeated UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria captured the 145-pound championship at UFC 298 in February by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in the second round. In his first title defense, at UFC 308 in October, Topuria became the first fighter ever to knock former titleholder Max Holloway out.

"El Matador" was rumored to be facing Volkanovski in a rematch next but it appears that Topuria has his eyes set onmoving up to the lightweight division. The 27-year old champion recently called out former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

Topuria discussed his decision to move up to the 155-pound weight class in a social media post on Thursday and said he will not leave the featherweight championship vacant.

"I will not leave the title vacant. The decision to move up to the next category is entirely mine," Topuria wrote on X. "I haven't had any conversations with the UFC yet, so everything is still to be decided. Stop celebrating because I’m not going anywhere.

"I have conquered my division and I will do the same in the next one."

I will not leave the title vacant. The decision to move up to the next category is entirely mine. I haven't had any conversations with the UFC yet, so everything is still to be decided. Stop celebrating because I’m not going anywhere. I have conquered my division and I will do…
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) December 12, 2024

Dana White: 'There's plenty of challenges for Topuria at 145.'

While Topuria has not spoken to the fight promotion about his intentions to accept fights at lightweight, UFC CEO Dana White has weighed in on the it. Prior to UFC 308, White was questioned about the potential of Topuria moving to lightweight.

"This is Ilia's first title defense. Before we start talking about guys moving up to other weight classes, I mean, when you look at Max Holloway who moved up. He had wiped out the entire division. The best 145 pounder, blah, blah, blah. Then Volkanovski," White said at the time. "There's plenty of challenges for him at 145."

This article first appeared on MMA Weekly and was syndicated with permission.

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