Overview
- Speaking on MatchTV, Makhachev said he will not cut back to 155 pounds and invited Topuria to face him at 170.
- He argued Topuria has nothing to lose by moving up because a loss would allow a return to lightweight to defend the belt.
- Makhachev dismissed Topuria’s resume at 155 as incomplete and pointed to Arman Tsarukyan as the most pressing contender.
- The welterweight champion previously vacated the lightweight title in 2025 and captured a second belt by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.
- Topuria has not defended since winning the lightweight title at UFC 317, and Matt Brown cautioned that returning too soon could jeopardize his performance.