Ilia Topuria’s first look as a UFC light-weight will probably be for a championship, nevertheless it is not going to be in opposition to Islam Makhachev.
UFC CEO Dana White introduced Tuesday that Topuria (16-0) will face former champion Charles Oliveira (35-10) for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 317 on June 28 in Las Vegas. Makhachev (27-1) a four-time defending champion will vacate the belt to maneuver as much as welterweight to face newly topped Jack Della Maddalena for a second belt at a later date.
“On June 29, one other dream will come true,” Topuria wrote on social media. “I will be the champion of the light-weight division. Charles, my apologies prematurely… I am simply preventing for my desires. It is unlucky that Makhachev ran away.”
Moreover, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (29-5) will defend his title in opposition to Kai Kara-France (25-11) within the co-main occasion of UFC 317, which can happen at T-Cellular Enviornment.
Topuria, of Spain, vacated his 145-pound title after one protection earlier this 12 months. His two 145-pound title fights got here in opposition to two of the perfect all time in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. He knocked out each in 2024 and determined to maneuver as much as 155 kilos.
Oliveira, of Brazil, has been ready for an opportunity to reclaim the belt he surrendered to Makhachev in 2022. He’s coming off a call win in opposition to Michael Chandler in November.
Makhachev is ranked the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on this planet by ESPN, and Topuria is ranked No. 2.
