Conor McGregor, aged 36, hasn’t fought in the UFC since 2021. Meanwhile, 37-year-old Jon Jones abruptly retired over the weekend despite having a promising superfight offer against Tom Aspinall. Dustin Poirier, also 36, is preparing for his retirement fight this July. Even Alex Pereira, the two-division champion who headlined the UFC’s biggest events in the last two years, is recovering humbly from a title loss at age 37.
As we look toward 2025, the UFC is noticeably lacking in crossover star power. UFC 317 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week may be crucial for the promotion’s near future, especially as former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria drops to lightweight to vie for the vacant title against Charles Oliveira.
Topuria, who is undefeated at 16-0 and 28 years old, is a national sports hero in his Spanish-adopted hometown. Fresh off decisive wins over top pound-for-pound fighters Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway last year, he is seen as one of the most formidable UFC talents. Aiming for a second title in a different weight class within just nine UFC fights, Topuria hoped to face lightweight champion Islamic Makhachev, considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters, but Makhachev opted to move up a weight division.
Despite the move, Topuria remains confident about a potential showdown with Makhachev, especially if Makhachev wins the welterweight title later this year. Topuria even hinted at possibly moving to welterweight himself to pursue that historic three-division championship goal. His charisma and confident style have made him one of the UFC’s breakout stars, with a rivalry against Makhachev potentially becoming the biggest fight the promotion has seen since Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor.
Topuria respects Makhachev and believes his weight class change is motivated more by seeking new challenges than avoiding him. Though some fans find Topuria’s bold talk off-putting, he believes once they get to know him, they’ll see his genuine nature. Currently favored to beat Oliveira, Topuria is expected to defend his title first against notable British fighter Paddy Pimblett, a familiar rival with a shared history of trash talk and recent strong performances.
Both the Makhachev and Pimblett matchups could be pivotal for Topuria’s career, but he feels the Pimblett fight might draw even more attention. With Topuria seen as one of the UFC’s biggest current stars, a victorious run against Oliveira could set up a blockbuster showdown. Topuria believes Oliveira’s aggressive style suits him well, as he excels at closing distance and delivering knockout punches.
In sum, Topuria could become a significant new superstar the UFC needs, providing excitement and fresh narratives for fight fans worldwide.
Fan Take: This news is significant for UFC fans as it highlights the emergence of new star power in a landscape where some veterans have stepped away. Topuria’s rapid rise and potential historic three-division championship chase offer fresh intrigue and could redefine the sport’s future allure.
