Ever since Ilia Topuria’s former coach announced that he was moving up a division, there’s been a lot of buzz. Fans went wild, anticipating some thrilling future matchups. However, Topuria recently revealed that he had already made the decision to move up even before the Max Holloway fight.
At UFC 308, Ilia Topuria took on Max Holloway and finished ‘Blessed’ with a third-round TKO. With that win, ‘El Matador’ successfully defended his featherweight title for the second time. Many expected him to continue defending the belt in the same division. However, after the fight, Topuria and his team announced that the Spanish fighter would move up to the lightweight division to chase a new title.
However, in a recent interview with the New York Post, the former featherweight champ shared that the move had already been decided before the fight:
“Even before the fight, I was sure that I would leave the division. I spoke to my family and team and told them this is the last weight cut we’re doing, and after this, we’re going to the lightweight division.”
Ilia Topuria shares he informed his team before the Max Holloway fight about his plan to move up to lightweight
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 24, 2025
"Even before the fight, I was sure that I would leave the division. I spoke to my family and team and told them this is the last weight cut we're doing, and after… pic.twitter.com/5wim2mOLSI
In a few days, Ilia Topuria is set to take on Charles Oliveira for the lightweight championship at UFC 317. The Spanish fighter has previously said that fighting for a second title is a dream come true, and this clash is shaping up to be an absolute thriller.
Ilia Topuria Shares His Emotions As He Prepares For The Biggest Fight Of His Career At UFC 317
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Just days away from his lightweight title clash with Charles Oliveira, Ilia Topuria reflected on the moment his first dream came true. Before setting his sights on a second belt, the undefeated Spanish star recalled the feeling of capturing his first title by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, a moment many doubted would happen.
“When I woke up in the morning and I was sitting in front of the window. I was like, I always dreamed about this day. That one day I’ll become the world champion — and today is that day,” Topuria shared in a recent video.
Having vacated the featherweight belt, ‘El Matador’ is ready to chase history once again as he prepares to battle Oliveira for the vacant lightweight crown. Can he achieve the dream he once only imagined? Time will tell.
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