After weeks of guesses and speculations, the UFC may have officially revealed Ilia Topuria‘s next opponent — but not in the way anyone expected. During the Spanish-language broadcast of UFC Vegas 105, a glaring slip-up on the news ticker revealed what the promotion had not yet announced. While fans were focused on the night’s fights, the ticker nonchalantly revealed Topuria’s next opponent. It was not part of an official announcement, press release, or social media post, but rather a silent message at the bottom of the screen that caught sharp-eyed fans off guard.
According to the broadcast, ‘El Matador’ will meet former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in his return to 155 pounds. The ticker read in Spanish, “Ilia Topuria moves up a weight class and faces Charles Oliveira. The Spaniard will make his lightweight debut.” While the ticker stated that the fight will be his “lightweight debut,” hardcore fans will recall that the Spaniard previously defeated Jai Herbert at lightweight in 2022. But this time, things are different. Ilia Topuria is entering the division not as a prospect testing the waters, but as a former featherweight champion seeking to stake his claim and chase gold once again. And facing Oliveira? That’s not a warm-up; it’s a war.
Topuria has spent the last few months begging for an immediate title shot, even claiming that Dana White had promised him the bout. But his ambitions were quietly crushed when Islam Makhachev apparently denied the fight. UFC sources speculated that Makhachev’s team was hesitant to give another featherweight a chance after facing Alexander Volkanovski twice. Whether true or false, the shift to the Brazilian makes sense. The fighter from the favelas may no longer hold the belt, but he remains one of the division’s most recognized names—a gatekeeper to greatness and a nightmare for anyone with championship aspirations.
While ‘El Matador’ has been busy establishing rivalries online, from taking jibes at Paddy Pimblett to directly calling out Charles Oliveira, this unintentional reveal may have provided the MMA world with the clarity it required. If Ilia Topuria defeats ‘Do Bronx,’ it will not just silence the critics but also send a message to Dana White, Islam Makhachev, and everyone else in his path: the former featherweight champion is on his way, and he is not asking for permission. But why did team Makhachev deny the fight in the first place? Was it all a decision made by the reigning champion?
The brain behind Islam Makhachev rejecting Ilia Topuria gets revealed
For a while, fans couldn’t understand why the UFC’s newest star was denied a title shot after vacating his belt and going up a weight class, especially because that star is Ilia Topuria. From his knockout streak to the buzz he’s created, everything pointed to a Topuria vs. Makhachev matchup. But now, as the dust settles, it appears that the underlying reason for the refusal was not Islam himself, but the famous figure who guided him from behind the curtain: Khabib Nurmagomedov.
According to Henry Cejudo, one of the few outsiders with access to the inner circle, ‘The Eagle’ was the one who vetoed the matchup. His rationale was based on fairness rather than fear or bias. Cejudo added that Nurmagomedov did not want ‘El Matador’ to skip the line because Makhachev had already handed another featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, not one, but two title shots. Khabib Nurmagomedov believed it was important to protect the division’s meritocracy. The message was clear: if Ilia Topuria wants a shot, he must first go through a strong contender and not be rushed because of hype.
This attitude, however noble it appears, has put the Spanish-Georgian in a frustrating limbo. Not only was he promised a championship opportunity, but the opponent he’s currently partnered with—Charles Oliveira — has also expressed reservations, publicly claiming that he’d rather chase the belt than face the Spaniard. Meanwhile, Justin Gaethje has emerged as the most likely next challenger, propelled by both momentum and the champion’s personal preference. In short, Topuria has gone from being promised a golden ticket to navigating a congested hallway with doors that won’t fully open — all because the man behind the curtain is making the decisions. But what do you think? Do you believe in Henry Cejudo’s massive claim? Let us know in the comments.
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