Ilia Topuria is making significant changes to his team as he prepares for a shot at a second UFC championship.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, the former featherweight kingpin has separated from his longtime coaches, Jorge and Augustin Climent. This change comes ahead of his main event clash against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 on June 28.
It`s been emphasized that the parting is on good terms, driven purely by logistical factors. The coaches` busy schedules and the geographical distance have reportedly made it challenging to maintain their previous working arrangement, with no animosity involved on either side.
Topuria recently relinquished his UFC featherweight belt, citing increasing difficulty in making the 145-pound weight limit as his reason for moving up to lightweight. “El Matador” had previously expressed interest in a high-profile bout against Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound strap. However, Makhachev is instead planning a move up to the welterweight division later this year to face the new champion, Jack Della Maddalena.
With the lightweight title now vacant following Makhachev`s divisional shift, Topuria and Oliveira are slated to headline the UFC`s annual International Fight Week pay-per-view event, set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
