Manager details what's truly behind Ilia Topuria's move to lightweight

Ilia Topuria’s manager provided insight on his move up to lightweight.

After back-to-back knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) vacated his UFC featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds.

With a Volkanovski rematch on the table, as well as top contenders Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev waiting for their featherweight shots, many questioned Topuria’s move. His manager, Malki Kawa, revealed that the weight cut was a big reason.

“The truth is that the weight cut is hard for him,” Kawa said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “Look, when you’ve been in this business for as long as we’ve been in it, you kind of learn certain things. And the longevity of fighters, especially at the highest level, when you talk about being a champion, you’re talking about a guy who has to fight the Volkanovskis, the Charles (Oliveira), the Islams (Makhachev), the Max (Holloways).

“You’re talking about fighting the best guys in the world. If you’re cutting all that weight, what you’re basically also doing is taking years off your fighting life. So this guy is looking at longevity. He’s looking at the fact that it’s almost a 50-pound cut every time. It’s time to move up to 155. I’m confident that Islam will accept it. I’m confident that we’ll be fighting for that belt, but it’s really not on us. It’s on them.”

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is not interested in facing another 145-pounder in Topuria after two of his four title defenses came over ex-featherweight champ Volkanovski. “El Matador” recently teased news that would catch everyone off guard.

“When we announce it, you won’t believe it. Get ready.”

When we announce it, you won’t believe it. Get ready.

— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) March 6, 2025