Movsar Evloev really wants to fight Ilia Topuria.
Current UFC featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria is in his final weeks as champion after announcing a move to lightweight and title vacation. Despite initial speculation that a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski would take place before Topuria left the division, the featherweight division will move forward with a vacant title fight between Volkanovski and Diego Lopes at UFC 314.
Topuria’s addition to the lightweight division opens the door to potential matchups with the likes of Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan, and Charles Oliveira. As of this writing, a timeframe for Topuria’s return to the Octagon is uncertain.
Ahead of Volkanovski vs. Lopes, Movsar Evloev has a keen eye on the upcoming fight and had a strong reaction to Topuria’s leave from the division.
READ MORE: Former Bellator star hit with five-year ban for brawling at BJJ event issues explicit response
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty ImagesMovsar Evloev sends chilling warning to Ilia Topuria after featherweight departureDuring a recent interview with Home of Fight, Evloev warned Topuria after leaving the featherweight division.
“Yeah [it upset me],” Evloev said. “First, I need this [featherweight] title, and then I’ll go after him. Not fighting for the title necessarily, but him. He beat almost everyone in the featherweight division, so he’s stronger than everybody here. Except me. Me and him, there’s a question between us.
“I’ll let people know who is the strongest featherweight, even if we fight at lightweight.”
Evloev and Topuria were supposed to fight earlier in their careers at UFC 270 before Evloev withdrew from the event. Evloev surged up the featherweight rankings with recent victories over Aljamain Sterling, Arnold Allen, and Lopes.
As of this writing, Topuria hasn’t responded to Evloev’s remarks.
READ MORE: Tom Aspinall offered alternative fight with top contender as Jon Jones talks stall: ‘Let’s go champ’
Ilia Topuria’s desired fight with Islam Makhachev isn’t a sure thing for next boutTopuria’s move to lightweight was originally expected to lead to an immediate title shot against Makhachev. But UFC CEO Dana White recently hinted that there are several options for Topuria’s next fight, including a clash with another top contender such as Tsarukyan or Oliveira.
If Evloev wins the featherweight belt, he would likely have to vacate it to move up to lightweight and fight Topuria. Lopes recently claimed the UFC matchmakers will no longer allow titleholders to fight for two belts simultaneously.
Makhachev’s manager recently dismissed Topuria fighting for the title next despite his coach seeming to endorse the fight’s booking. Makhachev is expected to return to the Octagon later this summer for his next title defense after a quick finish at UFC 311 in January.
Topuria’s lightweight move continues to hoard many headlines. But don’t be surprised if Evloev vs. Topuria comes to fruition at lightweight down the line, depending on how things play out.
READ MORE: World’s Strongest Man winners Eddie Hall and Mariusz Pudzianowski set for MMA fight with unique twist
0 Comments