Renato Moicano sees big future for "entertaining fighter" Ilia Topuria in lightweight, praises his skills after facing a common tough opponent

UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano believes featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has the tools to excel if he moves up to the lightweight division. In a recent interview, Moicano praised Topuria’s resilience, power, and adaptability, highlighting his potential for success against top competitors at 155 pounds.

Topuria captured the featherweight title at UFC 298 with a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski and made history by becoming the first fighter to stop Max Holloway with strikes at UFC 308.

Following his successful title defense, Topuria expressed interest in pursuing two-division champion status by moving up to lightweight. Moicano believes Topuria’s aggressive style and well-rounded skill set make him one of the most entertaining fighters in the UFC today.

Reflecting on Topuria’s previous lightweight performance against Jai Herbert, Moicano noted the Spaniard’s ability to recover from adversity, recalling how Topuria overcame a head kick to secure a knockout victory:

"I think Ilia Topuira is very good... and he is smaller like I say, but if he can defend the takedowns and I know he has a good ground game. So if he can defend the takedowns, I think he could knock a lot of people out [at] 155 [pounds]. Because he fought at [lightweight], he fought Jai Herbert."

He added:

"I fought Jai Herbert, I know Jai Herbert is very good and very tall, taller than me. [In their fight] even though Jai Herbert kicked him in the head, almost knocked him out, he [Topuria] survived. He took that kick and then he destroy Jai Herbert... So I don't think size and frame would be a problem... Now [Topuria] is the most entertaining UFC fighter right now."

Check out Renato Moicano's comments below (15:00):

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Henry Cejudo believes Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria could eclipse Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

Henry Cejudo has recently suggested that a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria matchup could outshine the anticipated heavyweight clash between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall.

Speaking on his Pound 4 Pound podcast, the former UFC double champion highlighted the stakes and competitive intrigue of a lightweight showdown between Makhachev and Topuria:

"I personally believe that [Makhachev vs. Topuria] could potentially be bigger than Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Competitively, of course, man. It’s not just that – it’s the simple fact that Ilia Topuria has a chance to become champ-champ. The heavyweight division, we’ll just know who’s the real undisputed champion."

He added:

"But in this position, if Ilia does win, that puts him in a category of, f**k, you beat the former pound-for-pound [best] in [Alexander] Volkanovski, you’re beating the current pound-for-pound in a guy like Islam Makhachev. Give him his flowers.”

Check out Henry Cejudo's comments about Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria (41:20):