Ilia Topuria is hard at work preparing for his fight since committing to a permanent move up to the lightweight division. And although an opponent is unconfirmed, the UFC's top Spanish star is preparing for one of two men.
Topuria has set his sights on achieving two-division glory after choosing to vacate the featherweight gold this year following just one defense. “La Leyenda” went 2-0 in 2024, dethroning Alexander Volkanovski before becoming the first to knock out Max Holloway.
Due to an apparent struggle to make the 145-pound weight limit, the Spaniard will move forward as a permanent fixture at 155 pounds. And given his success below, Topuria has seemingly been expecting a showdown with Islam Makhachev straight away.
During a recent media scrum recorded by Álvaro Colmenero, Topuria reiterated that desire while also naming the other possible foe he is preparing to face for his arrival into the division.
Both, he says, are "scared."
"All my training is focused on Islam or Charles, because I don't see any other opponents," Ilia Topuria said (h/t @ChampRDS). "Neither of them seems to dare (to fight me)... These are the symptoms of fear, we all know that, but it's normal. I'd be scared too."
With reports spreading that Makhachev and his team wish for Topuria to fight a contender before challenging his reign, "La Leyenda" may need to defeat someone like Oliveira this year.
"Do Bronx," though, has been making his own push to face Makhachev next time out. The Brazilian former champ has been seeking a rematch with the Dagestani ever since their 2022 clash in Abu Dhabi.