Former UFC featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria’s patience is on the verge of paying off.
It’s been six months since Ilia Topuria‘s lone featherweight title defense against Max Holloway at UFC 308. He became the first man to knock out Holloway as he viciously defended the featherweight belt.
After UFC 308, Topuria seemed destined for a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski sometime in 2025. But Topuria changed his mind on continuing his featherweight title reign, vacating the belt for a full-time move to the lightweight division.
According to Topuria, the UFC brass promised him an immediate title shot for his next fight after leaving the featherweight division. But UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and his team aren’t keen on granting Topuria an immediate shot at the belt.
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Ilia Topuria shares an encouraging update on UFC return as summer approaches
Makhachev favors facing another top lightweight for his next title defense, potentially a clash against the surging Paddy Pimblett after the UK star’s win at UFC 314. This leaves Topuria in an awkward spot, and he has been on the shelf for months as he waits for his desired lightweight title shot.
While there are several options for Topuria’s return opponent, including a potential interim/vacant title shot against either Charles Oliveira or Arman Tsarukyan, Makhachev is his top target. Regardless, it seems like Topuria got some good news from the UFC this week, as he hinted on social media.
In a recent tweet on X, Topuria kicked off his training camp for his UFC return.
“The camp has begun,” Topuria posted Tuesday.
Reports are circulating that Topuria will fight for a title at UFC 317 to cap off International Fight Week. Makhachev, a teammate and friend of UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, has long teased a move up to welterweight, which could come to fruition later this year.
Muhammad’s upcoming title defense against Jack Della Maddalena could determine what several high-profile fights, including Topuria’s lightweight return, look like.
Ilia Topuria’s next opponent could be determined by the UFC 315 result
If Muhammad defeats Maddalena at UFC 315 next month, Muhammad could either move up to middleweight to challenge for another belt or face Makhachev in a champion vs. champion superfight. But Makhachev and Muhammad have repeatedly dismissed a potential fight booking, as has coach Khabib Nurmagomedov.
If Makhachev vacates the lightweight belt for a full-time move to welterweight, a clash involving Topuria and either Oliveira or Tsarukyan for the vacant title could be next in line. Justin Gaethje is also in the mix after a win last month at UFC 313.
But regardless of the UFC 315 main event result, Makhachev and Topuria could still potentially clash this summer after months of bad blood between the two sides. Makhachev last defended the lightweight belt against Renato Moicano at UFC 311 in January.