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‘Make Us a Promise’ – UFC’s Quiet Request to Ilia Topuria Revealed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Jul 6, 2025 7:49 PM ET

Ilia Topuria's star has never shined brighter. On the biggest stage of the year—UFC International Fight Week at T-Mobile Arena—he delivered a chilling reminder of his power. With one devastating straight right, he floored veteran Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, cementing his reign atop the lightweight division. But behind that walk-off shot lies a story that might raise a few eyebrows—one that includes a subtle favor, a crossed-fingers promise, and a weight class he's been told not to touch.

Heading into UFC 317, all signs pointed to Islam Makhachev. The fan base wanted it. The media pushed it. And Topuria? He'd been locked in on Makhachev for months. The narrative was clear—two dominant champs, a collision course for the ages.

But the moment Makhachev set his sights on welterweight and the double champ dream, the entire script changed.

In a recent article by MMAFightingonBSN's Damon Martin, Topuria peeled back the curtain on a behind-the-scenes moment that caught even him off guard.

'I thought about [moving up],' Topuria said on About Last Fight.
'But the last conversation I had with the UFC they personally asked me the favor like "don't tell us after the fight that you want to move to the welterweight division. Make us a promise." I was like "promise." I was [crossing my fingers]. I promise.'

Ilia Topuria reveals UFC asked him to ‘make us a promise’ not to move to welterweight yet pic.twitter.com/gOcybnAmTK
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 6, 2025

The grin, the fingers crossed, the casual delivery—it was all vintage Topuria. But behind the humor lies a telling clue: the UFC has plans for him, and it starts with keeping him anchored at 155. That doesn’t mean things get any easier. The next names being whispered? Arman Tsarukyan, a rising storm. Justin Gaethje, always chaos in a bottle. Or perhaps, at long last, Paddy Pimblett—the unfinished business everyone loves to talk about.

Whether it’s vengeance, validation, or violence, Topuria’s next step has one thing guaranteed: it won’t be boring.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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