Islamabad, Feb 20: Ilia Topuria’s meteoric rise in the UFC has taken another dramatic turn as the featherweight champion has officially vacated his title, setting the stage for his long-anticipated move to the lightweight division. The announcement coincided with the confirmation of the UFC 314 fight card, scheduled for April 12, 2025, in Miami, Florida.
Topuria, who captured the 145-pound title in dominant fashion, has opted not to defend his belt, citing the increasing difficulty of cutting weight and his desire for fresh challenges. His departure paves the way for a featherweight title showdown between former champion Alexander Volkanovski and rising star Diego Lopes, who will battle for the now-vacant belt in the UFC 314 main event. Volkanovski will be eager to reclaim his throne, while Lopes sees this as the biggest opportunity of his career.
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However, the bigger story remains Topuria’s transition to 155 pounds, where speculation is already running wild regarding his first opponent. While a superfight against reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev would be a blockbuster showdown, Makhachev has reportedly shown little interest in facing Topuria immediately, as he is focused on his own ambitions of moving up in weight. This leaves Topuria in a difficult position either wait for a title opportunity or prove himself against one of the top contenders in a stacked division.
Meanwhile, UFC 314 promises an action-packed lineup beyond the featherweight title fight. The co-main event will see Michael Chandler square off against Paddy Pimblett in a highly anticipated lightweight clash. Other notable fights include:
- Yair Rodriguez vs. Patricio Freire (Featherweight)
- Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
- Nikita Krylov vs. Dominick Reyes (Light Heavyweight)
As the event approaches, the spotlight will remain firmly on Ilia Topuria’s next move. Whether he is granted an immediate title shot or is forced to battle his way through the lightweight ranks, his entry into the division adds a new layer of intrigue to one of the most competitive weight classes in MMA.
