Overview

• Ilia Topuria has vacated his featherweight title to pursue a lightweight championship fight against Islam Makhachev, citing weight-cutting difficulties and a desire to cement his legacy.
• Topuria has refused to fight other lightweight contenders, drawing criticism from Charles Oliveira, who argues that Topuria should earn his title shot by competing in the division first.
• Islam Makhachev has declined to face Topuria immediately, emphasizing the need for the Spanish-Georgian fighter to prove himself against other top competitors in the stacked lightweight division.
• The UFC has yet to confirm Topuria's next fight, with scheduling complications including the anticipated Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall bout delaying the resolution of the lightweight title picture.
• Topuria's rising star power, including his rebranding as 'La Leyenda' and growing popularity in Spain, has increased his marketability but also intensified debates over UFC matchmaking policies.