After an unprecedented 2024 campaign where he scored victories over divisional greats Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Ilia Topuria has now indicated that a move up to lightweight is in his immediate future.
The 27-year-old is undefeated through 16 professional fights, with many fans speculating about how his knockout power would translate up at 155lbs.
Speaking with Spanish channel El Partidazo de COPE, Topuria set his sights on several lightweights that would make for epic pay-per-view showdowns.
"I'd like to move up to the next weight class, and since Islam is the champion fighting in January and he won't be ready for May, I'd like to fight against the number one contender right now, who's Charles Oliveira," he said.
The decision to move up would put former champion and presumptive next challenger, Alexander Volkanovski in an awkward position.
In the aftermath of UFC 308 where Topuria finished Max Holloway in the third-round, UFC president Dana White all but confirmed the Australian's status as the number one contender for the featherweight title.
Still without a confirmed date or location for his next fight, Volkanovski will have a few different options if Topuria decides to vacate his belt.
Who will Volkanovski fight next?
Diego Lopes
Diego Lopes' meteoric rise into the featherweight title picture has made him one of the most beloved fighters on the roster.
The 29-year-old is on a five fight win streak after dropping his short-notice UFC debut against rival contender Movsar Evloev, with victories over names like Brian Ortega and Dan Ige.
Lopes has already expressed his willingness to step in against Volkanovski, a fight that could headline a pay-per-view anywhere in the world.
Movsar Evloev
Considered by many to be the boogeyman of the division, Evloev boasts an impressive 19-0 record and is currently ranked in the top five at featherweight.
Evloev won a unanimous decision over the weekend at UFC 310 over former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
The undefeated Russian said he is willing to turn around quickly in an effort to prove his worth as a title challenger in his recent post-fight comments, making him an attractive option for Volkanovski as a potential next opponent.
Where will Volkanovski fight next?
UFC 312, Sydney
The UFC returns to Sydney for a pay-per-view offering in February. The promotion recently announced that the middleweight title will be contested atop the bill when Dricus Du Plessis takes on Sean Strickland.
They also announced the co-main event between strawweight champion Zhang Weili and number one contender Tatiana Suarez.
When the card was announced, Volkanovski was adamant that he would be fighting in front of home fans.
However, with the top-two fights already confirmed, it seems unlikely that the UFC would use a spot lower down on the main card on a highly ranked pound-for-pound athlete.
UFC 313, Las Vegas
The rumoured UFC 313 card is potentially going to take place in the fight capital of the world. Hypothetically, this event would take place in March, following the offering in Sydney.
Volkanovski has fought in Vegas four times and is still a headlining act that could carry the promotion of an event of this magnitude, even without Topuria standing across the cage.
If Topuria forgoes his belt, nobody would complain about a vacant title fight with Volkanovski as the A-side given his standing in the division.
