Ilia Topuria is eyeing a future switch to 170lbs where he hopes he can become the UFC’s first ever triple champion.
Topuria is emerging as one of the MMA promotion’s biggest superstars having captured the featherweight crown on a route of big KO’s and technical brilliance.
The Georgian-Spanish phenom is now set to challenge for a shot at becoming a two-weight champion as he takes on Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 29 for the 155lbs crown.
Since moving up to the lightweight division, Topuria has been inundated with call-outs including from Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
But the real reason he originally announced his switch to 155lbs was to face Islam Makhachev, but the Russian vacated the title and moved up himself.
Albeit Topuria is refusing to let him escape his plan, and is surprisingly open to moving up to a third weight class to challenge his fellow elite champion.
He explained: “I wanted to face him because he was the guy who was dominating any everyone in that weight division.
“But at the end of the day, I can’t control what they do. The only thing I can control is what I do.
“So I wanted to move up, I wanted to fight for the title. This is what I’m doing. So he decided to move up also.
“So I can’t do anything else than go and fight whoever wants to fight me. We’ll see how he does in the welterweight division.
“If he wins the title, I win the title in the lightweight division, maybe I move up or he comes down to the lightweight division, and we have the the fight that everyone wants to see.”
Topuria would need to bulk up significantly to make the higher weight limit, and it would be a huge challenge.
Topuria is eyeing a shot at becoming two-weight champion this monthGetty If he wins a move to 170lbs to face Makhachev is viableGettyAnd he would likely give away advantages to Makhachev, who would be a likely favourite if the pair meet at welterweight.
But the power-striking star is showing he is open to any challenge at any time.
Victory over Oliveira will propel his name into new stardom, as he would join the likes of Conor McGregor and Jon Jones in becoming a two-weight king.
Makhachev is now set to do the same, where he will imminently meet Jack Della Madallena for the 170lbs crown.
It would set up a blockbuster octagon meeting if the pair do take their own respective victories.
But Oliveira is out to deny ‘El Matador’ at the second time of asking to regain the 155lbs crown.
Topuria would become the first man to ever win three belts in the UFCGettyHe said: “He has definitely not treated me with the same respect,”
“I don’t know why. He’s been saying a lot, but the fact of the matter is we’re going to find out on June 28.
“Everyone knows who the real champion is. I just want to win.
“It’s meant to be. It’s already written.”
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