'%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)
Ilia Topuria has vacated his UFC featherweight crown to move up to the lightweight division. Along with him, Max Holloway and Brian Ortega have also confirmed their intentions to compete in the 155-pound division and leave the 145-pound division behind.
Recently, these developments in the UFC featherweight division have drawn the attention of ex-UFC fighter Josh Thompson. In the latest episode of the WEIGHING IN podcast, he and co-host John McCarthy discussed how the moves made by Topuria and Holloway could potentially shake up the 145-pound division.
Thompson said:
"This whole 145-pound division though it's going to get shaken up. Brian Ortega going up to 55 [155 pounds]... Max Holloway going to 55, um Ilia [Topuria] going to 55. I mean you are losing three of your top guys right there. You know those guys are gone."
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Thompson went on to suggest that the arrival of former PFL and Bellator fighters like Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico in the UFC featherweight division could potentially initiate a resurgence in it as well:
"But I mean there's room for some growth in this 145-pound division. So like the addition I'm hoping, you know, of Patricio [Pitbull], that's one, and I'm hoping the addition of [Aaron] Pico here shortly, that's two."
Check out Josh Thompson's comments below (25:21):
Ilia Topuria reveals the targeted opponents for his return fight in the lightweight division
Amid Ilia Topuria's impressive record in the UFC, he once competed in the lightweight division. In March 2022, during UFC Fight Night 204, the Spaniard faced Jai Herbert and won by knockout. Now, citing issues with weight cutting, Topuria is set to fight again in the 155-pound division.
While he publicly called out for a title fight against Islam Makhachev, 'El Matador' is also preparing to potentially face Charles Oliveira in his return fight to one of the most competitive divisions in the UFC. In a recent interview with Alvaro Colmenero, Topuria said:
"I'm preparing for Islam Makhachev. All of my training is actually focused on Islam or Charles [Oliveira], because I don't see any other opponents. So, I have two names in mind."
Check out Ilia Topuria's comments below:
