The Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world was set abuzz last night when Ilia Topuria, the undefeated fighter with a 16-0 record, took to Twitter with a cryptic message that quickly went viral, amassing over 4,000 retweets. The message, which simply read, “When we announce it, you won’t believe it. Get ready,” had fans and pundits alike speculating about what it could mean – from his next fight to a promotional stunt. One thing’s for sure, though: it’s generated a huge amount of hype among combat sports enthusiasts.
Topuria is scheduled to make an appearance at the Cinesa Proyecciones in Madrid on Saturday to promote the upcoming WOW 17 event, set to take place on March 29. While he hasn’t dropped any hints about his potential showdown with Islam Makhachev (27-1) for the lightweight title, the fact remains that it’s not entirely up to him. Makhachev, the Dagestani fighter, needs to accept the challenge, and so far, that hasn’t happened. As things stand, Topuria’s team is waiting for the green light, but they’re not getting ahead of themselves.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Topuria deserves a shot at the lightweight title in his first fight since moving up a division. Opinions are divided, with some fighters, analysts, and journalists arguing that he needs to prove himself in another bout before being considered for the title. Others, however, believe that his impressive performances in the featherweight division – including knockout wins over Volkanovski and Holloway – have earned him the right to compete for the 155-pound title.
Regardless of how things play out, one thing is clear: the UFC hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Topuria vying for the lightweight title. In a recent conversation with Ariel Helwani, Topuria’s agent, Malki Kawa, explained that no one has told them they can’t aim for the title. Kawa, who is also the CEO of FirstRoundMgmt, emphasized that all options are still on the table.
As Kawa put it, “No one has said we can’t fight for the title.” He also cautioned that they wouldn’t be jumping into anything without having the necessary conversations and considering all factors. When asked about the potential fight against Makhachev, Kawa expressed confidence that it would happen, saying, “I’m sure Islam will accept it. I’m sure we’ll fight for that belt, but it really doesn’t depend on us.”
Kawa also shed some light on Topuria’s decision to move up to the lightweight division, explaining that it’s a matter of longevity and the toll that cutting weight has taken on his body. With Topuria having to shed almost 50 pounds each time he competes in the featherweight division, the time has come to make the switch to 155 pounds. As Kawa pointed out, “It’s time to move up to 155. I’m sure Islam will accept it. I’m sure we’ll fight for that belt, but it really doesn’t depend on us.”
What’s Next for Topuria?
The MMA community is eagerly awaiting Topuria’s next move, and with his appearance at the WOW 17 event just around the corner, fans are hoping for some clarity on his future plans. Will he face Makhachev for the lightweight title, or will he take on another opponent first? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure – with Topuria’s impressive record and formidable skills in the octagon, he’s going to be a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division.
Possible Opponents for Topuria
As the MMA world speculates about Topuria’s next fight, several names have been thrown into the mix as potential opponents. Some of the possible matchups include:
- Islam Makhachev: The current heavyweight titleholder has been mentioned as a potential opponent for Topuria, but it remains to be seen if he’ll accept the challenge.
- Other top contenders: Depending on how the lightweight division shapes up, Topuria could face other top contenders in his first fight at 155 pounds.
One thing’s certain, though – with Topuria’s skills and determination, he’s going to be a formidable opponent for anyone he faces in the lightweight division. As the MMA community waits with bated breath for his next move, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be an exciting ride.
