Ilia Topuria’, s supervisor provided understanding on his proceed away to light.
After back-to-back knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria ( 16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) vacated his UFC featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds.
With a Volkanovski fight on the table, as well as top contenders Don Lopes and Movsar Evloev waiting for their lightweight photographs, some questioned Topuria’, s move. His director, Malki Kawa, revealed that the fat cut was a great cause.
“, The truth is that the fat cut is hard for him, ”, Kawa said on “, The Ariel Helwani Show. ”, “, Look, when you ’, d been in this business for as long as we’, d been in it, you kind of learn certain items. And the longevity of fighters, especially at the highest level, when you talk about being a champion, you ’, re talking about a guy who has to fight the Volkanovskis, the Charles ( Oliveira ), the Islams ( Makhachev ), the Max ( Holloways ).
“, You ’, re talking about fighting the best guys in the world. If you ’, re cutting all that weight, what you ’, re basically even doing is taking years off your fighting career. But this guy is looking at survival. He’, s looking at the fact that it ’, s about a 50-pound reduce every day. It’, s time to move away to 155. I’, m convinced that Islam may embrace it. I’, m convinced that we’, ill be fighting for that belt, but it ’, s really not on us. It’, s on them. ”,
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is not interested in facing another 145-pounder in Topuria after two of his four name threats came over ex-featherweight winner Volkanovski. “, El Matador”, late teased news that may capture anyone off guard.
“, When we announce it, you won’, t consider it. Get available. ”,
When we announce it, you won’, t consider it. Get available.
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia ) March 6, 2025
This news first appeared on MMA Junkie. Read the original article here
