Ilia Topuria Says He Is Guaranteed a Lightweight Title Shot After Vacating the Featherweight Belt
Former UFC Featherweight champion Ilia Topuria believes his good relationship with the UFC brass guarantees him a Lightweight title shot. Topuria decided to vacate the belt and seek gold at Lightweight.
He officially vacates the belt when Alexander Volkanovski faces off against Diego Lopes for the vacant Featherweight belt at UFC 314 on April 12th. The former champ decided to vacate the belt as he feels that he has cemented his Featherweight legacy.
He also stated that he struggled to meet the 145-pound Featherweight limit. Ilia has fought at Lightweight in the UFC before when he knocked out Jai Herbert at UFC Fight Night: Aspinall v Volkov.
His decision to move up to 155lbs set the MMA media landscape alight with speculation. Although without an opponent yet, Topuria has stated that he will fight anyone, but believes he deserves a title shot.
Despite not having an official announcement, Topuria says that the UFC has promised him a title shot. Adding that his good relations with the UFC, assure his belief that he gets an immediate shot.
At a press conference following WOW 17 in Madrid, Spain Topuria stated:
“The UFC promised me I’d fight for the belt. That’s why I vacated it. And they’ve always kept their promise.”
For all his confidence, UFC CEO Dana White has said that Topuria may have to face someone else before Makhachev. Islam Makhachev is yet to comment on who is next, but a fight between them definitely seems on the horizon.
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