The MMA world is abuzz after Ilia Topuria’s coach provided candid insights into the fighter’s future plans. In a recent interview, he broke his silence on the possibility of a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski and addressed Topuria’s desire to move up to the lightweight division.
The revelation sheds light on the challenges Topuria faces at featherweight, particularly with the grueling weight cuts, and his ambitions for a fresh start in a higher weight class.
The Weight Cut Struggle: “He Touched the Underworld”
Weight cuts have always been a challenging aspect of MMA, and for Topuria, they’ve become increasingly taxing. His coach didn’t hold back, describing the toll it has taken on the fighter:
“The reality is, he hates that weight [cut]. He did it a lot of times. It’s harder every time we do it. He touched the [underworld]; he doesn’t want to do it anymore. That’s why he wants to go up to the next weight class.”
This raw statement highlights the physical and mental strain Topuria endures to make the featherweight limit. While his success in the division is undeniable, the long-term sustainability of these cuts has become a critical factor in his career decisions.
The Future at Lightweight
Topuria’s coach hinted that a move to lightweight could be more than just a solution to the weight cut issue—it could also mark the beginning of a new chapter. The lightweight division, known for its stacked roster of elite fighters, offers exciting opportunities for Topuria to prove his mettle.
Potential matchups with the likes of Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, or Charles Oliveira could cement Topuria as a dual-weight threat, a feat that only a handful of fighters have achieved in MMA history.
