Overview

• Ilia Topuria, current UFC featherweight champion, has announced plans to move permanently to the lightweight division due to the physical toll of extreme weight cuts.
• Topuria walks around at approximately 187 pounds, making it increasingly difficult to cut down to the 145-pound featherweight limit for fights.
• The Spanish-Georgian fighter has expressed interest in facing Charles Oliveira or Dustin Poirier in his lightweight debut, with Oliveira being his preferred opponent.
• Topuria’s coach believes he is prepared to fight anyone in the lightweight division and has hinted at a potential May 2025 fight, depending on UFC decisions.
• UFC President Dana White has yet to comment on whether Topuria will be allowed to hold both the featherweight title and pursue lightweight fights, raising questions about division management.