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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.
Adlan Amagov:
The jab hides the leg kick, the 1-2 hides the Hug Tornado. pic.twitter.com/iBucj0peFe— Feño (@fenoxsky) February 12, 2025
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.
| The GFL has announced that Yoel Romero vs. Shogun Rua is official.
Date and location TBD. pic.twitter.com/kOEPgESIEg
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) February 13, 2025
Two Justin Gaethje clips that both gave me a chuckle.
Gaethje being Gaethje pic.twitter.com/X5XX2mBbl0
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 13, 2025
One of the better UFC edit transitions pic.twitter.com/Ludo58HHXR
— Kenny Okoye (@TruthfulUfcFan) February 12, 2025
An interesting bit of strategy/technique from The Fighting Nerds:
The footwork he mentions at the end is so real pic.twitter.com/K2M5Bp5swd
— 24hourMMA (@24hoursMMA) February 13, 2025
Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling trilogy match is going down over on Russian TUF.
Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling going at it at light sparring during their reality show.
ALF Global pic.twitter.com/3gCOH6dCPE— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) February 13, 2025
Spoiler?
Moicano accidentally leaked Paddy Pimblett vs Mateusz Gamrot? pic.twitter.com/duI0vhjJSW
— Elonov (@ElonovMMA) February 13, 2025
Lightweight banger alert!
Daniel Zellhuber will fight Elves Brener at #UFCMexico on March 29th. (first rep. @CCLegaspi) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/3ezA0DPJz7
— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) February 9, 2025
Slips, rips, and KO clips
Can a Superman punch be low key? Apparently so!
Don’t see a lot of run-up superman punches anymore, but tasteful, understated superman punching still works pic.twitter.com/GoBSjsAnUQ
— Jack Slack (@JackSlackMMA) February 8, 2025
Lifted the leg to check and stepped it down directly into a left hook, catching his opponent on one leg — nice!!!
Lipeng Zhang KO1 Hiroyuki Tetsuka pic.twitter.com/DFh1FNnY37
— Neo Vale Tudo (@NeoValeTudo) February 8, 2025
Just an absolutely unpleasant way to lose a fight.
Mackson Lee absolutely chops down Filipe Zacaron in the 2nd round. Lee now 9-0. Lots of prospects on these LFA prelims as usual. #LFA201 pic.twitter.com/LTPCCzKQg0
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) February 7, 2025
Random Land
Outstanding.
@hakata4k.official ?????Lv.32
Midnight Music: Alternative, 2005
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.