Ilia Topuria’s manager details shocking reasons for lightweight move

Ilia Topuria’s supervisor supplied perception on his transfer as much as light-weight.

After back-to-back knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) vacated his UFC featherweight title for a transfer as much as 155 kilos.

With a Volkanovski rematch on the desk, in addition to high contenders Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev ready for his or her featherweight photographs, many questioned Topuria’s transfer. His supervisor, Malki Kawa, revealed that the burden reduce was an enormous purpose.

“The reality is that the burden reduce is tough for him,” Kawa stated on “The Ariel Helwani Present.” “Look, once you’ve been on this enterprise for so long as we’ve been in it, you sort of be taught sure issues. And the longevity of fighters, particularly on the highest stage, once you discuss being a champion, you’re speaking a few man who has to combat the Volkanovskis, the Charles (Oliveira), the Islams (Makhachev), the Max (Holloways).

“You’re speaking about combating the most effective guys on the planet. If you happen to’re reducing all that weight, what you’re principally additionally doing is taking years off your combating life. So this man is longevity. He’s the truth that it’s virtually a 50-pound reduce each time. It’s time to maneuver as much as 155. I’m assured that Islam will settle for it. I’m assured that we’ll be combating for that belt, nevertheless it’s actually not on us. It’s on them.”

UFC light-weight champion Islam Makhachev will not be fascinated about going through one other 145-pounder in Topuria after two of his 4 title defenses came visiting ex-featherweight champ Volkanovski. “El Matador” just lately teased information that may catch everybody off guard.

“Once we announce it, you gained’t imagine it. Prepare.”

Once we announce it, you gained’t imagine it. Prepare.

— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) March 6, 2025