Ilia Topuria is going for the UFC lightweight title
Ilia Topuria, a renowned MMA fighter, will have his first opportunity for the championship in the UFC lightweight category. However, it will not be against Islam Makhachev.
Dana White, CEO of the UFC, announced that Topuria (16-0) will face Charles Oliveira (35-10) for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 317, scheduled for June 28 in Las Vegas.
Makhachev (27-1), who has defended the title four times, will vacate the belt to move up to welterweight and fight for a second title against Jack Della Maddalena.
On June 29th, another dream will come true. I will be the champion of the lightweight division. Charles, my apologies in advance… I’m just fighting for my dreams. It’s unfortunate that Makhachev has run away.
Ilia Topuria
In addition, the flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja (29-5), will defend his title against Kai Kara-France (25-11) in the co-main event of UFC 317, which will be held at the T-Mobile Arena.
Topuria, from Spain, vacated his 145-pound title after a defense earlier this year. His two 145-pound title fights were against Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, whom he knocked out in 2024, before deciding to move up to 155 pounds.
Oliveira, from Brazil, has been waiting for the opportunity to regain the belt he lost to Makhachev in 2022. He is coming off a decision victory against Michael Chandler in November.
