Ilia Topuria Promised UFC He'd Stay at Lightweight—For Now: Eyes Still on Multi-Division Glory

Ilia Topuria may be holding UFC gold, but the newly crowned lightweight champion already has bigger plans in mind—literally. Following his explosive first-round knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, which earned him the vacant 155-pound title, Topuria revealed he’s been contemplating a move up to the welterweight division. However, that ambition has been put on pause, at least temporarily, due to a direct request from the UFC.

In a recent appearance on About Last Fight, Topuria shed light on a behind-the-scenes conversation he had with UFC officials just before his title bout. The promotion, it turns out, didn’t want him jumping ship so quickly after his championship win.

“I thought about [moving up],” Topuria shared. “But the last conversation I had with the UFC they personally asked me the favor like ‘don’t tell us after the fight that you want to move to the welterweight division. Make us a promise.’ I was like ‘promise.’ I was [crossing my fingers]. I promise.”

Topuria’s mischievous finger-crossing hints that his long-term ambition to chase gold in multiple weight classes is still very much alive. Yet, for now, the undefeated Spanish-Georgian star is committed to cleaning out the lightweight division first. He didn’t rule out a future move to welterweight, candidly noting that it “could happen” when the time is right.

Despite being at the top of one of the UFC’s most talent-rich weight classes, Topuria already has his sights set on a specific name: Paddy Pimblett. Following his win at UFC 317, the outspoken Englishman entered the cage for a heated faceoff, sparking fan speculation about a blockbuster matchup.

That, according to Topuria, is the fight that excites him the most—and for more personal reasons than titles or rankings.

“That’s the guy that I will really enjoy to punch him in the face,” Topuria said with no hesitation. “Really, really will enjoy that fight. I know I can do with him whatever I to do. Tell me, kid, what you want me to do with you. I’m going to do whatever I want to do. I don’t want to use my words.”

Topuria’s animosity toward Pimblett is no secret. The two have had a longstanding rivalry dating back years, with heated exchanges and public jabs fueling fan interest. Unlike the respect he showed Charles Oliveira—someone he admitted was hard to get emotional against—Topuria seems emotionally charged and motivated by the chance to silence Pimblett about a potential matchup with fan-favorite slugger Justin Gaethje, the champion’s response was blunt and dismissive.

“The only thing I realize is that you don’t like the guy,” Topuria said sarcastically. “Because I don’t know why you want to put him against me.”

Though Topuria has committed—for now—to staying put in the lightweight division, his aspirations for double or even triple champion status are far from extinguished. If his dominant rise and explosive finishes are any indication, it’s only a matter of time before he starts making waves in the UFC welterweight division too.