Ilia Topuria Focused on 2 Elite UFC Stars Ahead of Lightweight Move

The UFC looks to have huge fight plans lined up for the rest of 2025, and those plans clearly include some huge fights which will surely turn out to be some of the biggest in the history of the promotion. The two fights which MMA fans seem to want to happen the most in 2025 are of course, the huge heavyweight showdown between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, however, since UFC president Dana White announced that Ilia Topuria would be vacating his featherweight title to pursue a move up to 155lbs, fans have set their sights on a dream fight between the Spaniard and Islam Makhachev for lightweight gold.

Even though Makhachev vs Topuria would be a monumental matchup, a recent report emerged that suggested the dominant Russian turned down the fight as he wanted to fight a proven lightweight who has earned their shot by defeating fighters in the division. Despite this report emerging, in a recent media scrum, the Spaniard seemed to suggest that the fight could still happen, but he also has his sights firmly set on another lightweight superstar if the fight against Makhachev doesn’t materialise.

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Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira Targeted Opponents For Ilia Topuria’s Return to Lightweight

The Spaniard believes both men are “afraid” to fight him

Islam Makhachev seems to be the opponent the UFC want Ilia Topuria to face in his first fight back in the lightweight division, however, Topuria, who is now going by the nickname of ‘La Leyenda,’ which translates to ‘The Legend’ in English, has suggested that if a fight against the dominant Russian doesn’t materialise, he could fight Charles Oliveira instead. During a recent media scrum, the Spaniard revealed that he is training for both Makhachev and ‘Do Bronx’ ahead of his move to 155lbs as they are the only likely opponents for him.

Even though both Makhachev and Oliveira are two of the most accomplished lightweights ever, Topuria has shared his belief that both men are scared to fight him, and he senses “symptoms of fear.”

See the video of Topuria speaking about potential matchups against Makhachev and Oliveira below:

Whether it is Makhachev or Oliveira who stands across the UFC Octagon from Topuria next, the fight will be huge, no matter what.

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