Ilia Topuria has suggested that he’s booked an out of left field UFC fight.
The featherweight champion hasn’t fought since knocking out Max Holloway at UFC 308 in October.
Recently, it was announced ‘El Matador’ will be vacating his 145lb title to pursue lightweight glory.
It’ll officially become vacant just before Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes square off for the belt at UFC 314 on April 12 – but Ilia Topuria probably won’t mind after seemingly booking a fight for the ages.
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Ilia Topuria teases massive fight
On Thursday, Topuria sent MMA fans into frenzy with a 10-word post on social media.
“When we announce it, you won’t believe it. Get ready,” he wrote on X.
Islam Makhachev is the lightweight champion and top of the list of opponents Topuria wants to face.
Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protege is fresh off a quick submission win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January.
It’s currently unclear who will be his next opponent as there is no obvious number one contender at 155lbs – but Justin Gaethje or Rafael Fiziev could make a strong case when they rematch at UFC 313 on Saturday night.
A clash between Makhachev and Topuria would certainly be massive, but not a shock to fight fans.
So, we’ll just have to wait for UFC boss Dana White to explain what his Spanish star is talking about.
What’s Dana White said about Ilia Topuria’s next fight so far?
Speaking after the controversial UFC Fight Night Seattle main event between Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong, White was asked whether Topuria had vacated the featherweight title himself, or if the UFC had stripped him.
“He did that – he said, ‘I’ve done everything I can do here, I’m ready to move up’ and so he vacated it,” the UFC CEO explained.
“He said that he shouldn’t be holding up anybody’s opportunities and you know, I always respect it when guys do that.”
White kept his cards close to his chest when asked a follow-up question about Topuria vs Makhachev.
He added: “There are still other possibilities, there’s a lot of s— going on right now, otherwise I would’ve said [that fight’s on].”