Topuria: Plans to Defeat Oliveira, Pimblett & Makhachev
- 2 ranked fighter on ESPN's pound-for-pound list, is mapping out an ambitious plan that could see him retire from mixed martial arts before turning 30.Topuria (16-0), who faces...
- "I was struggling a lot with the weight cut, and it was making me start to hate the entire sport," Topuria said.
- Now that he's cozy at lightweight,Topuria is focused on opportunity.
Ilia Topuria, the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter, is strategizing a dominant UFC run before a potential early retirement, eyeing a third title belt before 30. This aspiring plan, revealed just before his fight with Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, highlights Topuria’s shift from featherweight woes to lightweight ambition. He envisions a historic career, including a possible fight with Islam Makhachev, and even a future boxing crossover, all outlined in his vision for January 2027. His manager acknowledged a potential welterweight bout for a title.
News Directory 3 has the full report on Topuria’s career aspirations and the key fights he’s planning,including strategies to defeat Oliveira,and Makhachev within the next two years.The article also presents his openness to a boxing career.
Discover what’s next for the rising UFC star.
Ilia Topuria Eyes Historic UFC Run Before Potential Early Retirement
Las Vegas-Ilia Topuria, the No. 2 ranked fighter on ESPN’s pound-for-pound list, is mapping out an ambitious plan that could see him retire from mixed martial arts before turning 30.Topuria (16-0), who faces Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 for the lightweight title, had previously mentioned retiring early, but now says those comments were driven by the extreme weight cut required to make the featherweight limit.
“I was struggling a lot with the weight cut, and it was making me start to hate the entire sport,” Topuria said. “So yeah, I’ve changed my mind on that. Those [extra] 10 pounds gave me life.”
Now that he’s cozy at lightweight,Topuria is focused on opportunity. He and his team envision a short but historic run, potentially culminating in an unprecedented third belt. ESPN asked Topuria to outline his ideal career path through January 2027, when he turns 30.
A key element of Topuria’s plan involves a fight against Islam makhachev, possibly in Spain at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Topuria wants the fight to occur during prime time in Spain,a departure from the UFC’s usual practice of aligning with U.S. pay-per-view schedules.
His manager, Aleksandre Topuria, acknowledged the difficulty of a potential welterweight bout but didn’t rule it out for a title opportunity. “Would I like to see Ilia compete at welterweight? Obviously, the answer to that is ‘no,'” Aleksandre said. “But would we take the chance to fight at welterweight for the belt? For sure. Who wouldn’t take this chance?”
Topuria has also expressed interest in a future boxing career, but onyl if the matchup is compelling. “That’s an option for me, yes,” Topuria said. “I have that door if I want it. Right now, though, I don’t see anyone that I would want to box with.”
What’s next
If topuria achieves his goals, including a potential third title, his team believes he could retire content.Aleksandre Topuria said, “Even now, he could retire in peace. But if he did all of this? What’s left? Fight Jon Jones at heavyweight? He will have done something that has never happened before. It’s the perfect scenario.”