One of the biggest announcements of the year was Ilia Topuria vacating his featherweight title. The 28-year-old is chasing a second belt in his career and wants to take on Islam Makhachev next. Well, the Spanish-Georgian isn’t quite chasing greatness, he is also looking to dismantle the legacy of the Dagestani champion. Since making his move to the lightweight division, ‘La Leyenda’ has made multiple comments about how the champion is afraid of him. But it seems the champion is in the mood to return the favor this time around.
During one of his interviews, the former featherweight champion said, “I’m the one to take the belt from Islam. That’s the only reason he doesn’t want the fight.” Amidst all the chaos, the Dagestani champion is quietly putting in the work. However, it now seems that the 33-year-old is slowly beginning his mind games. Although the fight between the pair is not announced yet, fans believe they just might clash at UFC 317.
“I hope to make you all happy again on June 28th.” These were the exact words of Topuria, who recently shared a video on social media after being honored by the Community of Madrid and its President with the prestigious Grand Cross of the Order of the Second of May.
Khabib Nurmagomedov also sparked intrigue on social media after posting a picture of a bull. Adding to the buzz, his longtime coach, Javier Mendez, touched on the subject during a February interview with Submission Radio and said, “He’s not gonna say no [to Ilia]. Now, the champion has also shared a cryptic post on his Instagram story.
The Dagestani champion shared a picture of an ostrich hiding its head in the sand on his Instagram story with a caption that read, “I wanna tag somebody but I think it’s not worth it”. The 33-year-old might be mocking Topuria as he is avoiding tough fights in the division against elite fighters, rather is pushing for a title shot without proving himself in the division.
A quiet sense of urgency is building behind the scenes at UFC headquarters. With UFC 317 rapidly approaching and no confirmed main event in place, the promotion is scrambling to pull things together. This isn’t just another pay-per-view—it’s International Fight Week, the crown jewel of the UFC calendar. Fans are expecting fireworks: action-packed fights, big names, and unforgettable moments.
But without a locked-in headliner, Dana White and company are walking a fine line between anticipation and potential letdown. Is that really the case? Well, a UFC insider reveals what exactly the promotion is planning for the event.
The UFC is working to make the Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria fight happen
At last, we’re getting a glimpse into what the UFC and Dana White might be plotting. UFC commentator Laura Sanko may have just let the cat out of the bag, hinting at potential plans involving lightweight champ Islam Makhachev and featherweight king Ilia Topuria. During her interview with Submission Radio, Sanko gave the details of what exactly might happen at UFC 317.
She said, “They really want Islam versus Topuria. And I think they will do whatever it takes to make that fight happen financially.” The UFC’s intentions are becoming crystal clear—Islam Makhachev, the reigning lightweight champion, is on a collision course with Ilia Topuria, the featherweight phenom known for his devastating knockouts.
What was once quiet speculation is now an open pursuit. The promotion isn’t shying away from the fact that this is their dream matchup, and they’re pulling every string to bring it to life. However, as fans, we are still waiting to get any official confirmation from the promotion. Ilia Topuria has already set the wheels in motion, stepping away from the featherweight division and setting his sights firmly on lightweight gold. He’s made it clear—his next fight will be for the 155-pound title. All signs now point to UFC 317 as the stage for this high-stakes clash.
Dana White confirmed the shift, stating that ‘La Leyenda’ can no longer make the featherweight cut, ending any lingering doubts. With the UFC going all-in on this potential super fight, its absence could leave the entire event feeling underwhelming. Will the pair finally lock horns at UFC 317? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post UFC 317 Drama Takes a New Twist as Islam Makhachev Drops Subtle Hint on Ilia Topuria’s Intentions appeared first on EssentiallySports.
