Ilia Topuria reportedly set to fight for the lightweight title at UFC 317 against either Islam Makhachev or a former champion

It's been reported that Ilia Topuria (left) will fight for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 317 against either Islam Makhachev (right) or a former champion. [Images courtesy: Getty Images]

It seems Ilia Topuria's claim that he was promised a lightweight title bout is true. As per MMA journalist Alvaro Colmenero of Eurosport, the UFC is guaranteeing a lightweight title bout involving 'El Matador' at UFC 317 International Fight Week in June.

The only question is who will be across the octagon from him. As per recent reports, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn't interested in fighting the former featherweight champ, since he's already beaten a 145-pound champion twice in the past.

According to the report by Colmenero, the UFC is giving the Dagestani champion a choice: defend the lightweight strap against Ilia Topuria or vacate it and move up to welterweight. If Makhachev decides the latter, then former lightweight kingpin Charles Oliveira will fight Topuria for the vacant throne.

Here's the report:

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"🚨| Ilia Topuria WILL fight for the UFC lightweight title at #UFC317 on June 28th, per @KOlmeneroMMA. If Islam Makhachev stays at LW, he will defend against Ilia Topuria. If Makhachev goes up to WW, Topuria will fight Charles Oliveira for the VACANT lightweight title"

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Ilia Topuria's opponent at UFC 317 may be decided by UFC 315's headlining title bout

If this report is true, then everything hinges on the main event of UFC 315 next month. Islam Makhachev's friend and fellow Muslim, Belal Muhammad, will be defending his UFC welterweight belt against Jack Della Maddalena. Muhammad has gone on record that he won't fight his friend, although Makhachev has insinuated in the past that he's willing to set their friendship aside.

Firm on his goal to become a double champ no matter what, Makhachev told UFC on TNT Sports earlier this year:

"It's not my job, but it's my goal. I'm not gonna leave this sport without second belt. This is my goal... He [Muhammad] is my friend. We was training last week together, we have this [same] manager for both. Yeah, we'll talk. Anything can change like very quick. That's why I am not planning to retire. I have time."

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If Muhammad loses to Della Maddalena, then it's a clear path for Makhachev to move up and challenge for the 170-pound strap. If Muhammad wins, then there will be a difficult talk between him and Makhachev.

Whatever the Dagestani champion decides after UFC 315, it will likely determine who Ilia Topuria faces on International Fight Week.

About the author

Duane is an expert MMA writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience working for the likes of Philippine Star, Esquire Philippines, Playboy Philippines, etc. A major in English, he has written over 2000 articles for Sportskeeda section, extensively covering UFC and boxing fights.

Duane is a practicing MMA fighter with a 11-7 record. He is also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt and trains Muay Thai. His connection with MMA dates back to 2005, when he turned into a fan after watching Fedor Emelianenko defeat Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic at Pride FC - Final Conflict 2005.

Emelianenko finds himself right at the top of Duane’s Mt. Rushmore of MMA fighters, alongside other big names like Demetrious Johnson, Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre, and Anderson Silva.

Duane’s love for the sport is reflected in his writings, where he believes in speculating but not insinuating. He uses his intensive knowledge and skills in MMA to provide unique insights to the readers, along with sourcing information only from reliable sources.

Outside of work, Duane enjoys martial arts training, visual arts, film criticism, video games, and creative writing.

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Edited by Nicolaas Ackermann