Of course, that remains to be seen for the UFC featherweight champion, but Topuria’s comments leave us wondering if the promotion will give him the green light for a future at 155 pounds, or will he stay at 145 books and will continue to defend his title there?

Topuria has yet to completely clean out the division, but holds four wins in the Top 15, including knockouts of former champions Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, with the Australian campaigning for a title rematch against Topuria after the loss.

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Another name that comes to mind for Topuria at featherweight is Diego Lopes, a new contender who has been on a five-fight win streak, including three outclasses this year.

“We were all surprised by what Ilia said, that he wanted to move up to 155 pounds, (saying) that it was his last fight at 145 pounds,” Lopes said. ESPN’s Carlos Legaspi deports of Topuria’s potential move to lightweight. “If that’s really the case, well, I’m already putting my hand up for a fight with Volkanovski, and now it’s time for the UFC to decide.”

A dominant champion thus far, Topuria has just one title defense under his belt against Holloway, one of the greatest featherweights of all time. While Lopes or his featherweight colleagues may not be as big a star, the Brazilian believes there is still work to do for Topuria before vacating the title.

“He has about two or three interesting fights left in the division. There’s the rematch with Volk, a fight with me, a fight with Movsar (Evloev). I think he has three good fights in the division before move up to 155 pounds and I vacate the title,” Lopes said.

“If that’s really the decision he’s going to make, you know, I’m here, when the UFC makes the decision, I’ll see what they’re going to do with the title, if he’s really going to be released or not. We will be ready for whatever decision the UFC makes.”

If Ilia Topuria’s days at featherweight are indeed behind him, Diego Lopes would like nothing more than to fight Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant title.

Lopes is coming off a near finish of former title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC 306 in September, cementing himself as a top contender.

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