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Ilia Topuria is banking entire legacy on UFC's 'promise'

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 9:09 AM ET

Ilia Topuria has explained that his decision to leave his featherweight throne is backed by a promise from the UFC, and that they've 'always kept' their promises.

'El Matador' is now 'La Leyenda' as he chases Islam Makhachev in the 155-lb division. Having knocked out two of the greatest featherweight champions back-to-back in Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, it would be safe to assume he has a watertight shot at Makhachev.

Despite this, Makhachev's team, and Khabib Nurmagomedov have remarked that Topuria doesn't deserve the title shot. Two of Makhachev's title defenses have been against former featherweights and they want a valid lightweight to contend for the belt.

Topuria is banking it all on a UFC promise...

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Ilia Topuria vacated title after UFC promised lightweight title shot

Appearing at the Way of the Warrior (WOW) 17 post-event press conference in Madrid, Topuria told Marca's Irati Prat why he was so sure about vacating his title.

"The UFC promised me I'd fight for the belt. That's why I vacated it. And they've always kept their promise."

Ilia Topuria tras WOW 17:

“La UFC me ha prometido que voy a pelear por el cinturón. Por eso lo dejé vacante. Y siempre han cumplido conmigo”.@marca pic.twitter.com/jOOXrjB5Z7
— Irati Prat (@IratiPratSC) March 29, 2025

The news of Topuria vacating his throne came around the same time UFC CEO Dana White remarked on double-championship fights.

Unless the daring champion plans to come back to their division soon, they are encouraged to vacate their belt if they want to challenge a new weight class.

It's more than likely that Topuria has been guaranteed a title shot with Makhachev behind the scenes, and leaving his title behind has cemented his side of the matchmaking.

Now, it's up to Makhachev's side to lock in the fight or suffer the wrath of stalling the UFC machine.

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

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