Ilia Topuria has designs on finally changing into a three-division UFC champion however he might need to attend to chase that aim for a short while longer.
Following a surprising first-round knockout over Charles Oliveira to assert the vacant light-weight title, Topuria revealed that the UFC truly requested him to not instantly declare his intentions to maneuver as much as 170 kilos. Whereas he hinted at that chance a number of occasions previous to UFC 317 with hopes of finally going through former light-weight king Islam Makhachev, Topuria says promotion officers already tried to speak him out of it.
“I considered [moving up],” Topuria mentioned on About Last Fight. “However the final dialog I had with the UFC they personally requested me the favor like ‘don’t inform us after the struggle that you just need to transfer to the welterweight division. Make us a promise.’ I used to be like ‘promise.’ I used to be [crossing my fingers]. I promise.”
Whereas he should finally chase that third title, Topuria confessed he’s going to remain centered on the light-weight division the place he’s now champion however admitted a transfer to welterweight “might occur” at some point.
He has a protracted checklist of potential opponents awaiting him however presumably none larger than a showdown with Paddy Pimblett, who truly got here into the cage for a faceoff after Topuria’s win over Oliveira.
Topuria confessed that’s positively the struggle he needs most, particularly after he struggled along with his feelings in the direction of Oliveira as a result of he had a lot love and respect for the previous light-weight champion.
“That’s the man that I’ll actually get pleasure from to punch him within the face,” Topuria mentioned. “Actually, actually will get pleasure from that struggle. I do know I can do with him no matter I to do. Inform me, child, what you need me to do with you. I’m going to do no matter I need to do. I don’t need to use my phrases.”
He additionally scoffed at a possible matchup in opposition to Justin Gaethje when his title bought introduced up as a potential opponent for his first title protection.
“The one factor I notice is that you just don’t just like the man,” Topuria responded to the proposed Gaethje struggle. “As a result of I don’t know why you need to put him in opposition to me.”
