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UFC Featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria has made his Lightweight intentions clear.
The timeline is shaky, but there is no doubt Topuria wants to jump to 155-pounds and challenge Lightweight roost-ruler Islam Makhachev at some point in the near future. Given the undefeated champion’s monstrous 2024, which involved knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, he’s in a pretty good position to shoot his shot.
Makhachev has an alternative explanation for Topuria’s dreams of a second title. Per the Russian champion, Topuria is starting to struggle to make the Featherweight limit after gaining weight from “the good life” of being champion. Still, he’s open to the fight provided Topuria prove himself at Lightweight first.
“I heard he has problems cutting weight,” Makhachev explained. “That he can no longer fit into the limit of his weight class. He’s probably already gained fat from the good life, and he already wants to leave the belt and move up. But, I’m not going to give him the chance right away, because he hasn’t done all the work in his own weight class.
“He only has one defense. He has other contenders he should have beaten, but he doesn’t want to cut weight anymore. So let him move up, and when he earns his chance, we will definitely fight.”
There are definitely several intriguing options remaining for Topuria at Featherweight. He’s expected to rematch Volkanovski at some point in the next few months, but red-hot contenders Movsar Evloev and Diego Lopes would be very interesting challenges as well if he sticks around.
Makhachev remains unbooked as well. His next step is less clear after the Arman Tsarukyan debacle, but perhaps he chases a second title of his own?
Insomnia
Jorge Masvidal for (state) senate? I wonder if punching Colby Covington in the streets hurts or helps his campaign.
Many friends have come forward in the last 48 hours to urge me to run for Mayor of Hialeah since that office is being vacated by the current Mayor.
I have decided to remain focused on the possibility of running for the Florida State Senate because I believe I can make a greater…
— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) February 13, 2025
After the Jon Jones story yesterday, Adlan Amagov clips are hot right now.
I hope for “Shogun’s” sake that he is on every steroid known to man in the lead up to his GFl fight vs. Yoel Romero.
Two Justin Gaethje clips that both gave me a chuckle.
An interesting bit of strategy/technique from The Fighting Nerds:
Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling trilogy match is going down over on Russian TUF.
Spoiler?
Lightweight banger alert!
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Can a Superman punch be low key? Apparently so!
Lifted the leg to check and stepped it down directly into a left hook, catching his opponent on one leg — nice!!!
Just an absolutely unpleasant way to lose a fight.
Random Land
Outstanding.
Midnight Music: Alternative, 2005
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.
