Every day brings fresh postulations about Ilia Topuria’s transition to the lightweight division. The former featherweight championship holder, Topuria, has recently been linked to a potential mega bout with Islam Makhachev. However, a revelation from UFC vet Chael Sonnen has thrown a spanner in the works. Sonnen maintains that Topuria didn’t willingly relinquish his title, he was forced to relinquish it!
Sonnen recently brought fresh insight to the ongoing Topuria narrative. He’s challenging the mainstream narrative put forth by the UFC that Topuria decided to leave his title. Inferring from developments following this event, Sonnen suggests that the ‘El Matador’ may have had his title forcibly taken away instead.
Sonnen’s stance, which goes contrary to the official line, is curious. ‘They’re adamant that Ilia Topuria abandoned his featherweight title. I’m ready to accept this, only because they said it’s so. Observing the sequence of events, it appears he was actually ousted’, Sonnen alleges.
Presently, there have been no verified assertions supporting Sonnen’s conjectures. Both Dana White and Ilia Topuria are singing from the same hymn sheet regarding the featherweight belt being voluntarily surrendered. However, inspite of the unified front, queries remain regarding Topuria’s trajectory within the lightweight class.
In the midst of the aforementioned uncertainties, news of Islam Makhachev embarking on his training camp has provided some relief. Speculation Around Ilia Topuria’s Next Bout Ignite As Islam Makhachev Gets His Training Camp Underway.
Makhachev has commenced his training camp, reports Alvaro Colmenero, a news update that stirred the UFC fraternity. Given the ongoing oscillation relating to the lightweight title bout, this development might signify that a face-off between Topuria and Makhachev is in the pipeline.
The one theory that currently holds water insists that the Topuria vs. Makhachev face-off is inevitable. Despite Makhachev’s preference for a bout with Topuria and an upwards move to the welterweight division, present circumstances seem to suggest otherwise.
Fight fans know that a move to the welterweight division is currently off the table for Makhachev, considering that Belal Muhammad holds the championship belt. Muhammad is also scheduled to defend his title in an upcoming fight against Jack Della Maddalena.
In light of this, Makhachev’s decision to get back into training at this time implies a possible fight card booking sometime in mid-year; likely June or July. The swirling whispers appear to hold some promise, yet it’s up to the UFC to unveil their plans.
There have been no further comments from UFC representatives or fighters involved in this narrative to either confirm or dispel these assumptions. All concerned parties continue to cite Topuria’s voluntary decision to abandon his title.
Regardless of the lack of an official response to Sonnen’s claims, his comments have certainly fueled the curiosity of fight enthusiasts. The mixed martial arts community remains on the edge of their seats as they eagerly await developments in this saga.
In the meantime, Topuria’s future in the lightweight division appears considerably uncertain. The anticipation of further clarity from the UFC has grown, especially given the hype that plants Topuria in a potential octagon faceoff with the equally formidable Makhachev.
Everyone is waiting eagerly for the UFC’s next move. In a universe as unpredictable as professional MMA, one can only guess. Nevertheless, the fact remains that the rumor mill will continue churning until firm plans for Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev are released to the public.