UFC champ Ilia Topuria trolls ‘decision machine’ Movsar Evloev; diverts attention to rising featherweight star
Ilia Topuria in favor of fan-favorite finisher instead of technical grapples from Movsar Evloev for UFC featherweight title defense.
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Ilia Topuria prefers a finisher rather than Movsar Evloev (Source: X/IMAGO)
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is scouting challenges before he finally enters the lightweight competition. With a quick glance, he insisted that Movsar Evloev is not a worthy challenger. Evloev is undefeated and a highly technical scrambler. But that’s not something Topuria finds worth sticking around for.
Ilia Topuria made a maiden defense of the 145-pound undisputed gold at the UFC 308 PPV. Now, due to weight cut issues, Team Climent Club MMA and camp are urging a move up. “El Matador” wants to challenge names like Charles Oliveira for the 155-pound top contender spot. As such, Topuria trolled the lack of finishes from Movsar Evloev and picked another contender as more deserving.
I think Diego [Lopes] deserves it more, …because Movsar has more fights in the UFC, but he has eight [nine] decisions, five [one] by split decision…Like, man, you need to finish someone…Do something, do something relevant, put yourself in that spot, and why not? We can do it. But if you don’t finish anyone – I fight for the fans.
Ilia Topuria to Niko Pajarillo of Fox Sports Australia for @mainevent (AU) PPV Channel
Evloev (19-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) remained unbeaten when he outpointed former champ Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310. Movsar Evloev has certainly built a resume that warrants a title crack. But not just for bear hugs; hence, Ilia Topuria said no. Both Topuria (in his own comical disses) and UFC CEO Dana White favor that hard KO finish rather than tactile clinching. Hence, “El Matador” prefers other options.
The Georgian-Spanish fighter wants to entertain fans. Topuria sees red-hot Diego Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) as better suited for it and a proper PPV spotlight. The promising 145 contender weighed in as championship backup for the UFC 308 PPV main event.
The champion also did promise the BJJ black belt a sure crack at undisputed gold before. With a 2-1 record in ’23 and a Submission of the Year contender, he went to a top breakout case in 2024. Topuria, though, has other red-hot fuming visitors in the waiting lobby.
UFC analyzing featherweight title scene after Ilia Topuria’s lightweight dream, says Alexander Volkanovski
Ilia Topuria rose to full glory when he swiped out former pound-for-pound topper and divisional king Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria is eyeing a move up to lightweight for a shot at Islam Makhachev next. But if he stays at featherweight for his next fight, Volk is a big option. Topuria welcomed him ringside during his UFC 308 octagon interview and promised him his rematch.
However, things have changed in 2025, and El Matador wants the lightweight move quick. After five title defenses, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) lost his undisputed gold in a rather violent fashion. His double-champ dreams at 155 also ended kind of similarly. So, Volk is angsty on a rematch and promises different results.
Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) is fond of Volkanovski but warned he would suffer the same fate in a rematch. The Aussie man isn’t surprised with such a lead-up.
Of course, he’s going to be cocky, …He knocked me out. He thinks he’ll do it again, and he has every right to think that…Look, nothing is locked in for us, but you’re hearing that from him, so it’s what it is — think the UFC are still trying to see what is going on, trying to figure that situation out.
Alexander Volkanovski to Niko Pajarillo of Fox Sports Australia for @mainevent (AU) PPV Channel
Topuria admitted the first choice for his next booking could be 155 and that he’d prefer it that way. Volk strongly urged that he wants his rematch and that they get to do it soon. A move up to lightweight would mean an interim featherweight title at bay. So, “The Great” even floats a counter-tease and hints at Lopes for it. If an interim champ, hook, or crook, it hoists Volk naturally for a rematch.
Related: Mel Gibson confesses to Joe Rogan on almost crying over Brian Ortega’s loss to Alexander Volkanovski
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