For a sport that lives and dies by what happens inside the Octagon, conversations outside of it can often shift narratives just as powerfully. The physical toll of weight cutting and the psychology of moving up divisions, can shape careers. The mystique of “natural” weight classes can frame legacies and alter matchmaking trajectories. Ilia Topuria steamrolled two of the most durable names at 145 pounds, and when he sat with Joe Rogan, he sounded absolutely convinced that he hasn’t even hit his physical peak yet.
Ilia didn’t drop a bombshell on JRE MMA Show #166. He didn’t need to. The undefeated featherweight champion had already made it clear: he’s eyeing Islam Makhachev and moving to 155. But on Rogan’s show, Topuria reaffirmed his intention; this time with logic and unsettling confidence. By now, fans had heard him call out the lightweight elite. What they hadn’t heard in detail was why he believed the jump in weight would make him even more dangerous. That clarity arrived in long-form on one of MMA’s most-watched platforms.
Rogan, who’s long been critical of extreme weight cutting, asked Topuria the obvious question, “So with this extra 10 lbs how much better do you think you’ll be able to perform inside the Octagon?” He didn’t stop there, he added, “Because I would imagine physically that’s got to take a toll on you… your body could not have been operating at 100%.”
Topuria didn’t hesitate when asked how the move to lightweight would affect his performance. He began with a clear conviction, “100%. You are going to see me at 155 that I’m going to touch someone and I’m going to take his lights out.” He then went a step further, describing his striking, “Even if I… I don’t need to touch his chin… I just touch his head and it will explode.”
While the imagery is dramatic, it fits a pattern of bold self-belief that Topuria has backed up in previous fights. He also addressed questions about grappling exchanges, an area that many believe will be tested more rigorously at 155, “I feel so powerful at that weight class. So power, so stable in the ground. Like, do you want to wrestle? Let’s wrestle. No problem.”
And what do fans think of Topuria’s supreme, unwavering confidence? Well, it seems like they weren’t impressed by his tall claims, and proceeded to let him know exactly what they feel in the comments.
Fans believe Islam Makhachev’s grappling and size pose insurmountable threats to Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria’s certainty hasn’t swayed everyone. In fact, his comments about power and superiority at 155 triggered a wave of skepticism, especially from fans who see Makhachev’s skillset as the ultimate equalizer. “You’ll be humbled very soon kiddo.”, one fan commented on the post. Another leaned on recent history to counter Topuria’s hype. He wrote, “He got rocked and almost put out by Jai at 155”—referring to Topuria’s lone fight in the division, where he was nearly finished before securing a KO.
The Spanish-Georgian’s detractors aren’t denying his skills. What they question is the leap. One fight at 155—no top contenders faced, yet demanding the belt—is their concern. One fan summed up this logic bluntly, “Too powerful yet trying to avoid top contenders and demanding title where he has nothing to lose. Prove to us and the champ how powerful you claim you are by finishing a top contender first Lord Farquaad”
Of course, not everyone is doubting the former featherweight champion. Support for the former featherweight champion runs just as deep, especially from fans who’ve followed his meteoric rise through a stacked featherweight division. A lot showed confidence in his challenge and one noted, “The confidence has to be respected and hasn’t been wrong yet ” Another echoed that sentiment, “lol so far everything he said he’d do, he did. I believe him.”
From a performance standpoint, their case is hard to ignore. ‘La Leyenda’ dismantled Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, two of the most durable and versatile featherweights in UFC history. And that gas tank, the Spanish-Georgian said on the JRE show, has leveled up: “I have the gas tank for five days…not five rounds.”
MMA: UFC 298-Volkanovski vs Topuria Feb 17, 2024 Anaheim, California, USA Ilia Topuria fights against Alexander Volkanovski during UFC 298 at Honda Center. Anaheim Honda Center California USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xGaryxA.xVasquezx 20240217_gav_sv5_175
What makes the former featherweight champ’s case compelling, more than his ambition is his timing. He’s still undefeated. He’s still young. And he’s attempting to bypass the cautious, risk-managed route by going straight for the most dominant grappler in the UFC. Joe Rogan acknowledged the challenge, but never questioned Topuria’s mentality or preparation. “At 155 you’re going to be able to eat more, you’re going to be able to train more, you’ll be able to recover better…I can’t wait.” IliaTopuria smiled and repeated back, “I can’t wait either. I want to fight. So take me.”
The line is drawn, and the fans are split. Either Topuria rewrites the rules or runs straight into one of the sport’s harshest realities. It’s a crossroads UFC fans have seen before. Conor McGregor, perhaps the most iconic dual-weight champion in UFC history, once spoke with the same clarity and conviction. His confidence, like Topuria’s now, was dismissed by many as arrogance until he made it real. But even McGregor, after reaching the pinnacle, learned the limits of physicality and momentum when he pushed too far, too fast.
What do you think? Does Ilia Topuria have what it takes to dethrone Islam Makhachev at 155, or is he skipping the line without paying his dues in the division? Let us know where you stand.
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