Makhachev is the bigger fighter and cut significant weight to make the 155-pound limit. Topuria will also cut weight to make 155, but he will have a much easier process. Size matters much more in the UFC than in boxing, as the sport’s wrestling component is massive.

Ilia Topuria is vacating the UFC featherweight championship and making way for a new chapter in his career. We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) relinquished his featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds. With the belt now vacant, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will battle it out to crown a new champion at UFC 314 on April 12.

Ilia Topuria shocked the MMA world by vacating his featherweight title and announcing he is moving up to face the best lightweights in the UFC. An immediate title shot is not guaranteed, so now it’s time to figure out the best options for his next opponent.

Paddy Pimblett says Ilia Topuria is making a 'big mistake' following in Conor McGregor's footsteps. Both 7-0 in the UFC featherweight division, then-champ McGregor and Topuria have taken a similar path with their careers,