Ilia Topuria has always held himself differently. He does not just want to win fights; he wants to make history. That is precisely why he has stopped wasting time at featherweight. After defeating Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, he surprised everyone by vacating his belt and officially entering the lightweight division. But ‘El Matador’ isn’t here to advance through the ranks like everyone else. He has his sights set on one fight, one opponent, and one venue that will make this the UFC’s biggest event ever. Topuria wants Islam Makhachev inside Santiago Bernabéu, in front of 80,000 screaming fans.
The thought of such a massive event may appear far-fetched to many MMA fans, but the Spanish-Georgian isn’t simply hoping; he’s actively pushing for it. During the WOW 17 post-fight press conference in Madrid, he made his intentions perfectly clear. “I don’t know who’s going to be my next fight, but the only thing I know for sure is that my next fight will be for the world title.” That wasn’t just confidence talking; it was a promise made by the UFC to him before he decided to vacate his featherweight title. And now he is putting Dana White on the spot. “Imagine that, Eighty thousand people. Spain. History.”
Of course, he could have approached the situation differently. ‘El Matador’ could have waited for an official contract, kept his featherweight belt for a bit longer, or even defended it once before making the move. But it isn’t who Ilia Topuria is. “There are guys who are preparing every day, who are fighting—just like me—for their dreams. Keeping the title would be very selfish of me,” he told Men’s Health Spain. He knew he wasn’t going to drop back down to 145, and he wasn’t going to hold up the division merely to preserve his name in two weight classes. “I’m the world champion whether I vacate the title or not. I don’t need a belt to feel worthy.”
| Ilia Topuria revealed he expects to be fighting Islam Makhachev for the belt in his first fight at lightweight at the #WOW17 post-fight press conference in Madrid tonight.
@IratiPratSC pic.twitter.com/umIXcbu2cZ
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) March 30, 2025
The only thing left is for the UFC to declare it official. With Dana White allegedly moving away from double champions, this could be the perfect move for Ilia Topuria to get what he wants. If all goes according to plan, ‘El Matador’ will enter Santiago Bernabéu as Spain’s biggest combat sports star and leave as the UFC’s new lightweight champion. It makes no difference who is standing across from him: Makhachev, Oliveira, or Gaethje. He’s coming for the belt and is prepared to make history in the process. But while the Spanish-Georgian sees the fight as no less than confirmed, UFC legend Joe Rogan believes otherwise.
Joe Rogan believes Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is not on the list yet
Ilia Topuria may believe his lightweight title shot is a done thing, but Joe Rogan is not so sure. The UFC commentator, who was completely sold on the notion a few weeks ago, now believes the company has other intentions. “I don’t think it’s going to happen. I wonder what they’re going to do with Topuria,” Rogan stated on his podcast. If the UFC doesn’t give him Islam Makhachev straight away, the JRE host has a backup plan in Charles Oliveira. Given their recent back-and-forth, the bout sells itself. ‘El Matador’ wants a championship opportunity, while Oliveira wants another chance at the belt. If Makhachev is not available, why not let them work it out in the cage?
The true issue, however, is Islam Makhachev, not Topuria. The lightweight champion has options, and the Spanish-Georgian is not at the top of his list. Instead, the Dagestani is reportedly watching UFC 315, when his friend Belal Muhammad defends his welterweight belt. If Muhammad loses, Makhachev may abandon lightweight altogether and pursue a second belt. Even if he stays, he has stated that he would prefer to face a seasoned contender such as Justin Gaethje than risk all against an undefeated wildcard like Topuria.
Then there’s Oliveira, who isn’t waiting for Ilia Topuria either. The fighter from the favelas has been loud about wanting a rematch with Makhachev, and his team has made it clear that’s what they’re aiming for. Meanwhile, names like Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan are circling, waiting for Dana White to call their next bout. With major announcements coming soon, nothing is set in stone. But if ‘El Matador’ thought his journey to lightweight gold would be as easy as his featherweight run, he may be in for a big awakening. What do you think? Will Ilia Topuria get his dream fight in 2025? Let us know in the comments.
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