Morning Report: Ilia Topuria claims UFC has promised lightweight title fight
Ilia Topuria is trusting Dana White and the UFC.
The featherweight champion is set to move up to the 155-pound division (and officially vacate his belt with Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes set to fight for it in the UFC 314 main event on April 12), though he is yet to receive official word if he will be fighting lightweight champion Islam Makhachev or another contender to earn that opportunity.
Topuria spoke to media following a Way of Warrior event in Madrid, Spain, on Saturday, and he assured his supporters that no matter what, the UFC has guaranteed his next fight will be for the lightweight title.
“I’m not entirely sure what my next fight will be,” Topuria said in Spanish (h/t MMA Marca, translation via Championship Rounds). “The only thing I’m sure of is that the UFC’s word is that my next fight will be for the world title. That’s all I know. Afterwards, if it’s going to be Islam, if it’s going to be Charles, I have no idea.”
“The belt will be on the line,” he added. “It will be on the line. That was the promise for leaving my title vacant. They’ve always kept their promises.”
Topuria did not insist Makhachev has to be the one to face him; rather, either Makhachev defends his title against “La Leyenda,” or Makhachev makes an oft-discussed move up to 170 pounds so that Topuria and another contender can compete for a vacant lightweight belt.
That other contender could be Charles Oliveira, who Topuria has previously expressed interest in fighting, sparking a verbal beef between the two. However, Oliveira recently dismissed Topuria, saying he’s not “a big fight,” which drew a sharp response from Topuria, who questioned Oliveira’s accolades.
“I haven’t dissed [Oliveira], I’ve told the truth,” Topuria said. “He has 10 losses. I haven’t said anything else. He has 10 losses. Five by knockout, four by submission, one by decision. He says [lightweight] is the toughest division there is. When he was fighting at 145, even Cub Swanson beat him up. That’s where the conversation ends.
“Something he couldn’t achieve at 145 pounds, he did at 155, where he became champion. So why is that division tougher than the one I come from? I don’t find any logic in it. And that’s why I said it seems like he hasn’t read a single page of a newspaper. So if that’s disrespectful, I don’t know since when telling the truth is disrespectful.”
TOP STORIES
Results. Brandon Moreno out-points Steve Erceg to win UFC Mexico main event.
Results 2. Naoki Inoue outstrikes Yuki Motoya, survives late scare to defend title.
4th. Brandon Moreno gunning for 4th Alexandre Pantoja fight to headline UFC 320 in Mexico: ‘I think it’s perfect.’
Signing. Kyoji Horiguchi signs with UFC, vacates RIZIN title.
Reaction. Manuel Torres reacts to criticism of referee stoppage over Drew Dober knockout.
Beef. Jorge Masvidal calls out Leon Edwards to finally settle their beef: ‘I’ll come off the couch and whoop your ass.’
Rematch. Chael Sonnen thinks Alex Pereira should not rematch Magomed Ankalaev: ‘It really was not overly competitive.’
VIDEO STEW
UFC Mexico Post Show.
UFC Mexico post fight presser.
Brandon Moreno post-fight interview.
Every knockout from UFC Mexico.
One of the greatest performances in MMA history.
Forrest Griffin interview.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
On To the Next One. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee figure out what’s next for two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno after a solid win over Steve Erceg at UFC Mexico, plus matchup picks for the rest of the card’s big winners.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Respect.
Well, that sucked. A beautifully timed one two by Manuel Torres. There's not much to go off of other than, unfortunately, stepping in front of the rear hand of a long power puncher.
— Drew Dober (@DrewDober) March 30, 2025
As much as I love Mexico City, it's given me two of my most embarrassing losses of my career, haha. But the food and people are still the best. I'm happy and healthy and excited to be a stay at home dad for a while.
— Drew Dober (@DrewDober) March 30, 2025
Manel Kape throwing shade at Brandon Moreno.
It's really funny when these fighters ( whatever division) want to proclaim that they have the best “boxing in ufc”.
— マネル・ケイプ موسى Manel Kape (@ManelKape) March 30, 2025
Honestly, u guys don’t understand anything about boxing . Just keep fighting !!!
Hey. Stop missing weight!
#UFC fighters that missed weight this year are 1-6.
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 29, 2025
Breakdown:
Favs: 0-4
Dogs: 1-2#UFCMexico
Timber.
INSANE KO BY CONOR COOKE‼️#BKFCMANCHESTER pic.twitter.com/dnVsF6rjuY
— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) March 29, 2025
Ignacio Bahamondes’ next opponent better watch the F out.
NXT's first ever women's double champion, @Steph_Vaquer at the UFC PI in Mexico demonstrating her finisher inside the Octagon. #UFCMexico #WWENXT
— Cigano (@Cigano300) March 29, 2025
ignaciodiazsb pic.twitter.com/mdGLFhePRB
Mike Malott’s brother getting into a fight in the NHL.
Those Malott brothers can really throw em' @Michael_Malott | @UFC_CA pic.twitter.com/z3IMvNFErw
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 30, 2025
FINAL THOUGHTS
UFC Mexico was a good time. I know some people are split on the entertainment factor of the main event but I thought it was an enjoyable scrap, capping off a very solid night of fights. Not sure we’ll be able to say the same thing this upcoming Saturday. I guess we’ll see.
EXIT POLL
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