Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev isn’t any extra.
Per an official announcement made by Dana White on Instagram, the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ has vacated his light-weight championship in a bid to maneuver up and problem Jack Della Maddalena for his newly received welterweight crown.
Consequently, Topuria will face No. 2 ranked light-weight contender Charles Oliveira within the UFC 317 headliner on Saturday, June 28, with the winner leaving as the brand new 155-pound champion.
Reacting to the information on social media, Topuria issued an apology upfront to ‘Do Bronx’ and threw some shade at Makhachev, accusing him of operating away from their beforehand rumored title tilt.
“On June 28, one other dream will come true,” Topuria wrote on X following the official announcement. “I’ll be the champion of the light-weight division. Charles, my apologies upfront… I’m simply preventing for my desires. It’s unlucky that Makhachev ran away.”
Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev may come again round
Whereas Makhachev vs. Topuria had the entire makings of a blockbuster showdown contained in the Octagon, their particular person pursuits for dual-division glory will maintain them aside. For now. Ought to each Makhachev and ‘El Matador’ succeed of their bids for extra UFC gold, there’s nonetheless an opportunity we may see the 2 come collectively for what would undoubtedly be one of many largest fights in promotional historical past.
Till then, we’ll must accept Topuria vs. Oliveira, which is a reasonably rattling good comfort prize.
Right here’s how UFC 317 is shaping up so far:
