Ilia Topuria‘s confidence is at an all-time high as he prepares for his first featherweight title defense this Saturday. Facing the highly anticipated bout against Max Holloway, the Georgian-Spaniard is confident he will succeed with flying colors. However, his ambitions don’t stop there, as he intends to dominate multiple divisions across the UFC.
Ilia Topuria has already made his moves for a potential lightweight move with his recent online dispute with Islam Makhachev. The ‘El Matador’ has claimed to knock anybody that will come in his way in the future. In a recent interview, he revealed his plans to move to welterweight and become the first three-division champion (Triple Champ).
Three-weight world champion…That’s the goal. Move up to the lightweight division, get that belt, and then move up to the welterweight division.
Ilia Topuria via UFC on TNT Sports
A move to lightweight seems well within reach for Topuria, but he faces a significant size disadvantage against the welterweights. Nevertheless, he’s vowed to bulk up and prepare his physique to take on that challenge over the next three years. While the UFC has seen several double champions, no fighter has ever attempted to capture a third title.
Ilia Topuria plans on becoming a 3-weight world champion 3 years from now 👀🏆
“That’s the goal. Move up to the lightweight division, get that belt, and then move up to the welterweight division.”
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 22, 2024
Conor McGregor recently suggested that either he or Alex Pereira could become the UFC’s first three-division champion. Pereira, already a two-division titleholder, has hinted at a move to heavyweight. Topuria must act fast if he wants to secure his place in history before ‘Poatan’ makes his move. To achieve the impossible task of being a triple champ, there are several obstacles in his way.
UFC welterweight champion wants Ilia Topuria to get knocked out at UFC 308
Ilia Topuria will face a challenging road to becoming a three-division champion. In addition to going up against pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev, he might also contend with the newly crowned Belal Muhammad. Unlike his approach to Makhachev, Topuria has little respect for ‘Remember The Name.’
Recently, Topuria mocked Muhammad for not having the ability to finish his opponents and made some personal remarks. In response, Muhammad didn’t hold back and fired back at the featherweight champion. Recently, the first-ever Palestinian champion predicted Topuria to get knocked out by Max Holloway at UFC 308.
Can’t an’t wait till Max knocks this midget out and he goes back to acting in Shrek.
Belal Muhammad via X
Belal Muhammad responds to Ilia Topuria and compares him to Lord Farquaad from Shrek 😭
“Can’t wait till Max knocks this midget out and he goes back to acting in Shrek.”#UFC #MMA #UFC308 pic.twitter.com/DWTwqRXxWY
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 23, 2024
Going into UFC 308, Topuria has no doubts in his ability and has promised to be the first person to drop Holloway. He has also challenged the Hawaiian for a 10-second stand and bang from the get-go. On the other hand, Holloway remains cautious and looks forward to getting back his lost featherweight title.
