UFC featherweight champion Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is eager to move up a weight class and challenge lightweight champ Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC). Makhachev is not interested in defending his title against another 145 pounder, but Topuria’s dominance has many thinking he has a solid shot – including Poirier.

🚨 Islam Makhachev says he does NOT want to fight Ilia Topuria right away “I'm not going to give him a chance right away, he didn't do all the work he had to do in his weight class. There are contenders who he must defeat, let him earn a chance, and we will fight” via @MatchTV pic.twitter.com/wNt11t7UMI

Paddy Pimblett dismisses UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria's star power. Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is open to defending his belt in a rematch against Alexander Volkanovski next but would rather move up a division to challenge lightweight champ Islam Makhachev (27-1 MMA,

Paddy Pimblett disagrees with UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria jumping the line at lightweight. A lot of talk has been made about Topuria targeting lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to manufacture a superfight between UFC titleholders with a combined 43-1 record.

UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria wants the biggest fights possible, even if that means fighting champions outside of his natural weight class.