Ilia Topuria has openly stated his desire to fight Islam Makhachev if he defeats Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title at UFC 317, but there`s a specific condition attached to his challenge.
The former featherweight champion, who is scheduled to headline the International Fight Week event in Las Vegas, clarified in a media scrum with Spanish reporters that his interest in facing the Russian fighter is contingent upon Makhachev successfully capturing the welterweight title from Jack Della Maddalena.
Topuria had previously entertained the idea, suggesting that “perhaps I move up or he comes down to the lightweight division, and we have the fight that everyone wants to see,” provided both athletes emerge victorious in their respective upcoming title bouts.
However, Topuria emphasized that this potential superfight plan is entirely off the table if Makhachev is unsuccessful in his attempt to win the 170-pound belt later this year and subsequently decides to return to the lightweight division.
Quoting Topuria (via Alvaro Colmenero):
“If he loses, I give him nothing. If he loses, nothing. Let him get in line.”
Topuria earned his opportunity to compete for UFC gold after securing six consecutive victories within the promotion, four of which ended in finishes. He famously shocked the world by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight championship. His single title defense was another knockout victory, this time against Max Holloway, after which he vacated the belt to pursue a move up to the lightweight division.
Charles Oliveira, his opponent at T-Mobile Arena this weekend, is a former lightweight champion holding an impressive professional record that includes 23 victories and 20 finishes across 34 appearances inside the octagon. His notable stoppage wins feature victories over top contenders such as Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Michael Chandler.
