![Diego Lopes (inset) weighs in on Ilia Topuria (right) planning to move to lightweight. [Images courtesy: @diegolopesmma & @iliatopuria via Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/12/fc310-17339904209328-1920.jpg)
![Diego Lopes (inset) weighs in on Ilia Topuria (right) planning to move to lightweight. [Images courtesy: @diegolopesmma & @iliatopuria via Instagram]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is contemplating a move to the lightweight division. With an undefeated 16-0 record, Topuria has hinted at pursuing bigger challenges, including a potential title eliminator against Charles Oliveira, aiming to fight for the lightweight belt.
Topuria previously competed at lightweight in 2022, defeating Jai Herbert in a thrilling comeback. Despite his aspirations, No. 3 ranked featherweight contender Diego Lopes believes Topuria still has unfinished business in his division. In a recent video shared by ESPN MMA on X, Lopes can be seen saying:
"We were all surprised what Ilia said that he wants to move to [lightweight]. It was his last fight at [featherweight]. And if really so, well I already raised my hand for a fight with Volkanovski and it's now time for the UFC to decide."
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He further added:
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"There's about two or three fights for [Topuria], that are interesting in the division [featherweight]. Well, there's the rematch against Volkanovski, a fight with me, a fight with Movsar. I think he has three good fights in the division before going up to [lightweight] and leaving the title. If it is really the decision that he is going to make, you know I 'm here, when UFC makes the decision"
Check out Diego Lopes' comments on Ilia Topuria's potential move below:
Paddy Pimblett reacts to rival Ilia Topuria considering lightweight move
Paddy Pimblett wasted no time responding to Ilia Topuria’s announcement of a potential move to the lightweight division. The animosity between Pimblett and Topuria dates back to a physical altercation at a fighter hotel during UFC London in 2022, followed by another heated exchange at the UFC 282 press conference.
Initially separated by weight classes, the possibility of a fight between the two seemed unlikely. However, with Topuria declaring his intention to move up permanently from featherweight, the rivalry has reignited. Just hours after Topuria’s announcement during a Spanish interview, Pimblett posted on Instagram:
“New blood at 155?”
Check out Paddy Pimblett's post on Instagram below (via. @mma_orbit):
