Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) vacated his featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds. Makhachev previously stated that a fight with “another featherweight” in Topuria doesn’t interest him, and his manager Rizvan Magomedov wants to see “El Matador” in a title eliminator.

Makhachev is the bigger fighter and cut significant weight to make the 155-pound limit. Topuria will also cut weight to make 155, but he will have a much easier process. Size matters much more in the UFC than in boxing, as the sport’s wrestling component is massive.

UFC CEO Dana White seemed enthused when discussing Islam Makhachev's next fight following UFC Seattle Saturday night.

A UFC veteran backs Islam Makhachev’s take on Ilia Topuria, agreeing with his assessment: “He’s got a great point.”

Dana White won't confirm Topuria's title shot. Camps disagree on Topuria's readiness for title fight. Topuria seeks direct lightweight title bout without an eliminator fight. The UFC President Dana White recent comments regarding a potential lightweight title bout between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has created doubt about the fight coming to fruition next.

Khabib Nurmagomedov suggests submission artist Charles Oliveira would be a fair fight for Ilia Topuria, favoring the featherweight champ in his lightweight debut. "If you move up and he beat somebody like Charles, of course [title shot]. I think Ilia can beat [Oliveira]," Nurmagomedov said.

Ilia Topuria is vacating the UFC featherweight championship and making way for a new chapter in his career. We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

The manager of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev seemingly doesn't want to see the Russian fight Ilia Topuria next.

Ilia Topuria recently vacated his featherweight belt to pursue a potential fight with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is fresh off a quick submission win over Renato Moicano at UFC 311. Alexander Volkanovski famously got knocked out by Topuria when they met at UFC 298 last February.