Ilia Topuria’s self-assurance matches his immense skill as he pursues his second UFC championship and has already set his sights on a third. Though it sounds ambitious, Topuria’s belief in his potential makes it credible. Recently, he captured attention by expressing his intent to challenge Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title, aiming not to become the UFC’s first three-division champion, but to dethrone the pound-for-pound best in the sport. When asked why he thinks he can achieve something no one else has, especially against a formidable opponent like Makhachev, Topuria simply responds, "Why not?"
After vacating the UFC featherweight title, which he secured by knocking out two of the division’s greatest champions—Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski—Topuria cited the difficulty of weight cuts as the reason to focus on lighter weight classes. However, he feels ready to bridge the 25-pound jump from featherweight to welterweight. Training with welterweight fighters, he says, has been exhilarating and he believes he can dominate in that division. He confidently asks, "If I challenge someone with the same weight, height, and reach as me, why wouldn’t I step into that fight, get paid, and win another world title?"
Before Topuria can face Makhachev for the 170-pound belt, several conditions must be met: Topuria must first defeat Charles Oliveira, and Makhachev is yet to be officially scheduled to fight welterweight champion Jack Della Madarena. Matchmakers also have a say, as if Makhachev loses at welterweight, Topuria plans to welcome him back to lightweight. Although Topuria’s goals may seem impractical, his unshakable confidence challenges the limits of what’s possible in MMA. His conviction sometimes comes off as audacious, but it showcases a breakout star the UFC desperately needs.
While Topuria hasn’t dominated his division like Jon Jones or defended his belt as many times as Anderson Silva, his achievements—defeating Volkanovski, Holloway, Oliveira, and aiming for Makhachev—could rank among the greatest stretches in MMA history. Winning titles in three different weight classes would be unprecedented. Even if the welterweight title bout doesn’t materialize, Topuria’s record places him among the sport’s elite. When asked if he’d be happy to be considered one of the greatest, Topuria humbly credits other athletes who have done great things for MMA, saying, "There’s room for everyone."
Fan Take: Ilia Topuria’s bold ambitions and willingness to challenge the sport’s best across multiple weight classes signal a thrilling new chapter for UFC fans. His rise could redefine what it means to be a multi-division champion and bring fresh excitement to MMA’s competitive landscape.
