Dana White Explains Ilia Topuria’s Title Relinquishment, What’s Next for the Featherweight Star?

The UFC featherweight division has been thrown into turmoil following Ilia Topuria’s decision to vacate his title. UFC President Dana White recently shed light on the unexpected move, revealing that Topuria is shifting his focus to lightweight but without any guarantees of an immediate title shot against reigning champion Islam Makhachev. The announcement has sparked widespread speculation about Topuria’s future and its implications for both the featherweight and lightweight divisions.

Ilia Topuria will vacate his undisputed UFC featherweight title with plans to move up to lightweight, Dana White announced.

Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will fight for the vacant featherweight title at UFC 314 in Miami on April 12. pic.twitter.com/36OYhxKdzk

— ESPN (@espn) February 20, 2025

The Decision to Vacate: A Bold Move by Topuria

Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) shocked the MMA world when news broke that he had relinquished his featherweight title just months after defending it in a dominant performance as he became the first person to knockout Max Holloway at UFC 308. The undefeated Georgian-Spanish fighter, known for his ferocious striking and well-rounded skill set, cited a desire to pursue challenges at lightweight as the primary reason for his decision.

Dana White addressed the situation during a media scrum on Thursday, explaining that Topuria’s decision was not made lightly. “He believes he’s done everything he needed to do at featherweight,” White said. “He wants to test himself at 155 [pounds], but there’s no guarantee he gets Islam [Makhachev] next.”

Dana White praises Ilia Topuria for willingly vacating featherweight belt pic.twitter.com/6crM2ECKF5

— Best MMA Moments (@XcellentMMA) February 23, 2025

White’s comments highlight the complexities of Topuria’s transition. While his perfect record and championship pedigree make him a compelling addition to lightweight, the division is already stacked with elite talent vying for a shot at Makhachev. Fighters like Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Arman Tsarukyan are all in the mix, making it clear that Topuria will need to earn his place among them.

The decision to vacate also leaves a vacuum at featherweight, where contenders such as Arnold Allen, Yair Rodriguez, and Brian Ortega are now jockeying for position in what promises to be an exciting race for the vacant title.

Lightweight Ambitions: Can Topuria Break Through?

Topuria’s move to lightweight is undoubtedly ambitious, but it also comes with significant challenges. The lightweight division is widely regarded as one of the most competitive in the UFC, and Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC) has proven himself to be a dominant champion with victories over Charles Oliveira and Alexander Volkanovski.

While Topuria’s striking power and grappling acumen make him a threat in any weight class, transitioning to lightweight presents new obstacles. Fighters in this division are not only larger but also bring diverse skill sets that could test Topuria in ways he hasn’t experienced before.

Dana White made it clear that while Topuria is an exciting addition to lightweight, he’ll need to prove himself before earning a crack at Makhachev. “We’ve got killers at 155,” White said. “Ilia’s great, but this division is no joke. He’ll have to fight one of these top guys first.”

Potential matchups for Topuria include clashes with top contenders like Arman Tsarukyan or Charles Oliveira—both of whom would provide a stern test for the former featherweight champion. A strong showing against one of these fighters could fast-track him to a title shot, but anything less than dominance might delay his ambitions.

What Lies Ahead for Two Divisions?

Topuria’s decision to vacate his featherweight title has created ripple effects across two weight classes. At featherweight, Alexander Volkanovski is set to attempt to recapture his featherweight title when he takes on surging contender Diego Lopes at UFC 314.

At lightweight, Topuria’s arrival adds even more depth to an already stacked roster. While his path to a title shot remains uncertain, there’s no denying that his presence will generate excitement and fresh matchups in a division brimming with talent.

As Dana White emphasized, there are no guarantees in MMA—especially when it comes to earning title opportunities in divisions as competitive as lightweight. For Ilia Topuria, this next phase of his career represents both a challenge and an opportunity to solidify his legacy as one of the most versatile fighters in UFC history.

Whether he can replicate his featherweight success at 155 pounds remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: fans will be eagerly watching every step of Ilia Topuria’s journey in one of the most dynamic periods in UFC history.