Diego Lopes claims the UFC is no longer willing to stage champion-vs.-champion fights, and that’s why Ilia Topuria is giving up the featherweight title. UFC CEO Dana White rocked the MMA world this week when he announced that Topuria would be giving up the 145-pound title because he thinks he’s cleaned out the division and is struggling to make the weight. As a result, Lopes (26-6 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will face Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) for the vacant belt in the main event of UFC 314 on April 12 at Kaseya Center in Miami ( ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+). Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) has made no secrets about his desire to move to lightweight and challenge Islam Makhachev, but many wondered how it would materialize. According to Lopes, vacating the strap was an essential first step. He claims messaging from UFC brass indicated that Topuria getting a title shot at 155 pounds would not be in play unless he made a full commitment to the division.
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Diego Lopes says Ilia Topuria vacating title after UFC’s ‘very clear’ message – MMA Junkie