Ilia Topuria has his sights set on a move to welterweight, but only after he takes care of business in his upcoming lightweight title unification bout with Justin Gaethje.
Topuria, the current UFC lightweight champion, is set to face Gaethje in the main event of UFC Freedom 250, which takes place June 14 at the White House in Washington. The matchup will unify the lightweight title following Islam Makhachev’s move to welterweight.
"I want to connect the third belt. Everyone knows that. After this fight, if the UFC wants to give me the opportunity to move up to the welterweight division and fight against the current champion,Islam Makhachev, I'll be very happy. Why not? If you don't take risks, there is no champagne," Topuria said.
Makhachev is now the UFC welterweight champion after moving up and defeating Jack Della Maddalena, vacating the lightweight belt that Topuria later captured by beating Charles Oliveira. Topuria believes any move to 170 pounds will ultimately "depend on the UFC's decision."
Topuria and Makhachev have had a rivalry for several years, dating back to when Topuria competed at featherweight and called for a fight with Makhachev while he held the 155-pound title.
Before any potential superfight, Topuria remains focused on Gaethje. "I've never faced anyone like Justin. He's a legendary fighter. I like him as a fan, and I always love to watch all his fights because they're very entertaining. But when you talk about me fighting him, as I told you before, I don't see any possibilities for him."
