It seems Ilia Topuria’s comments on the competitors for the featherweight title he vacated have brought him down in the popularity charts. His cockiness was perceived as a deserved trait when he held the title. However, Ilia’s remarks against Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes have been digested poorly, especially since he left the division and his title for loftier ambitions.
Topuria, the former featherweight champion, has been clamoring for a fight for the 155 lb title against Islam Makhachev. But before that happens, the Georgian-Spaniard will witness Volkanovski and Lopes fight for his crown at UFC 314 on April 12.
Interestingly, Topuria’s own title ambitions at 155 lbs seem to have been put on hold for now. Questions are being raised whether the Spaniard deserves a title shot without proving himself in the division. However, Topuria doesn’t seem to be worried about that.
Instead, he seemed more intent at reminding everyone that Volk or Lopes would hold the title after UFC 314 only because he’s been gracious enough to allow it.
“Predicting the future of our children is complicated,” Topuria told Marca of Volkanovski and Lopes. “Everyone knows who’s in charge in that division. I just left them a toy to have fun with. Because it’s important to them.”
However, Topuria has come under fire for his comments, and has been branded too confident by many fans. “Bro won two fights and acts like he’s Muhammad Ali,” a user on X posted.
Bro won two fights and acts like he is Mohammed Ali
— Bhag Cap (@BhagCapital) March 8, 2025
Prominently described as “cringe” among other things, the consensus has been that Topuria is taking too much stock in himself.
“He’s so corny,” a third user commented, while another asked a more pertinent question: “Why did you run from daddy, Movsar [Evloev]?“.
With just one title defense under his belt at 145, no matter how much he gloats, the questions about his abilities will always remain. However, all that would change if he can go up and prove himself against the Pound-for-Pound #1 fighter in the UFC.
Topuria teases super fight with Makhachev
On social media this week, rumblings of a pairing between the Topuria and Makhachev gathered more pace amidst continued speculations, in part from Topuria.
The unbeaten finisher teased an imminent announcement in a cryptic post on X. “When we announce it, you won’t believe it,” he tweeted, asking fans to “Get ready.”
At this point, there is no saying if the UFC would pair him against Islam for gold or if they plan on introducing him to the who’s who of the 155 lbs first. Perhaps former champion Charles Oliveira will play a hospitable host to the 145 lb champion on his lightweight debut.
Interestingly, Topuria’s team has made it known that he was not interested in taking on the Brazilian or anyone else for the #1 contender match. Especially since he’s just given up a title for the chance to fight Makhachev. However, the main reason being cited for Ilia’s move is a brutal weight cut that he didn’t believe was sustainable.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Topuria’s manager Malki Kawa said, “Look, when you’ve been in this business for as long as we’ve been in it. You kind of learn certain things. And the longevity of fighters, especially at the highest level.”
The manager explained that Topuria wishes to fight the best of the best and therefore couldn’t keep compromising himself.
“When you talk about being a champion, you’re talking about a guy who has to fight the Volkanovskis, the Charles (Oliveira), the Islams, the Max [Holloways],” added Kawa.
However, regardless of the reasons, it does seem the future is as uncertain as it can be for the Spaniard.
