Ilia Topuria’s title run has seen him topple two featherweight legends and that might be enough for him, for now.

The UFC’s reigning champion at 145 pounds appeared on the Spanish program El Partidazo de COPE, where he declared that a move up in weight is imminent. Topuria has spoken before about wanting to fight UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, a notion that Makhachev recently dismissed.

Still, Topuria is willing to earn his shot, and he has a name in mind for his first lightweight opponent: Former champion Charles Oliveira.

“I was talking about Miami, I don’t really know,” Topuria said. “I don’t have an idea because I still have to have a couple of conversations, to talk about it and see how they see my future. But more or less, I have it quite clear how I want it to be and an idea that I want.

“I would like to go up to the next division and since Islam, the champion in that division, is going to fight in January and he’s not going to stay—That is, he’s not going to be ready for April, May, I would like to fight with the No. 1 contender that division has right now. That’s Charles Oliveira.”

Makhachev is currently scheduled for the fourth defense of his title in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 on Jan. 18. He twice successfully defended his title against then-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, knocking him out with a spectacular head kick in their second fight that Volkanovski accepted on short notice as a replacement for Oliveira.

For Topuria, it’s not just about chasing a second title, but no longer having to endure a grueling weight cut down to 145 pounds.

“Maybe it’s time for a change,” Topuria said. “Now it’s time to enjoy, enjoy a little more of what I do. Not care so much about the weight cut. ... Imagine, I made my UFC debut in 2020, and started ranking at featherweight. Like, you get your position in the ranking, so you’ve earned your ranking in that weight and then if you change, you lose all the work you’ve done within the rankings. So you stay there, but four years pass, you evolve, you grow, your body develops more and it costs more and more to cut weight.”

Topuria didn’t rule out competing at featherweight again, saying he’ll make the cut if the right opponent emerges from the pack. At the moment, that appears to be the undefeated Movsar Evloev, who improved to 9-0 in the UFC with a decision win over Aljamain Sterling this past.

Though the two were once booked to fight in 2022 before Evloev withdrew with an injury, it doesn’t sound like Topuria is interested in revisiting that matchup at the moment. He has one UFC lightweight fight under his belt, a knockout of Jai Herbert in March 2022, and right now he’s eager to see how he’ll fare at 155 pounds again.

“I already have a UFC fight at lightweight, it was the one in London,” Topuria said. “The truth is that I felt super comfortable with the process, because the weight cuts don’t affect you, it gives you the opportunity to stay a little more active. Because if you eliminate that part, then it’s going to a pretty fun trip.”

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TOP STORIES

Review. The MMA Fighting crew gives you the full rundown of the biggest takeaways from UFC 310.

Ow. Ciryl Gane has X-rays to back up the claim that he injured his foot in the first round of his fight with Alexander Volkov.

Also? If Daniel Cormier is to be believed, Shavkat Rakhmonov entered UFC 310 with a compromised knee.

Who? Kamaru Usman fires back at Ian Machado Garry’s claim that he didn’t want that smoke.

Why? Dennis Buzukja gives his side of the Merab Dvalishvili fan altercation, which saw Buzukja throw hands with said fan.

The End? Aljamain Sterling plans to have a long talk with the UFC about his future plans, which could include retirement.

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VIDEO STEW

Mighty Mouse breaks it down.

Joaquin Buckley sits down with 2Straws.

Carlos Prates on Submission Radio.

UFC 310 reax.

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FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR

On To the Next One. The Best Friends Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee predict what’s next for the stars of UFC 310.

Severe MMA. Seán Sheehan and Graeme McDonnell deep dive into Ian Machado Garry’s narrow loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Callout.

Invicta week!

Who doesn’t?

What am I doin’ here?

2025 plans.

Perfectly balanced.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dricus du Plessis (22-2) vs. Sean Strickland (29-6); UFC 312, Feb. 8

Zhang Weili (25-3) vs. Tatiana Suarez (10-0); UFC 312, Feb. 8

Justin Tafa (7-4) vs. Talisson Teixeira (7-0); UFC 312, Feb. 8

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Remember when dudes just stayed in their division and defended their titles? Does the work of Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Demetrious Johnson mean nothing anymore?

STOP CHANGING WEIGHT CLASSES.

Enjoy your day, everyone.

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EXIT POLL

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