Ilia Topuria Confirms UFC 317 Fight Date, Aims for Lightweight Title

Ilia Topuria has officially confirmed his return to the UFC at UFC 317 on June 28 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week, following his decision to vacate the featherweight title and move up to lightweight. While Topuria has expressed a strong desire to challenge current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Makhachev's willingness to defend the title and his potential move to welterweight have left Topuria's opponent and the stakes of the fight unconfirmed. If Makhachev vacates or declines to fight, Topuria may instead face Charles Oliveira for an interim or vacant lightweight title, with Oliveira seen as a leading candidate due to his status as a former champion. Topuria's team remains confident in his striking abilities against both Makhachev and Oliveira, suggesting stylistic advantages in potential matchups. Despite the uncertainty, Topuria's undefeated record and recent knockout victories have fueled anticipation for his lightweight debut. The official announcement of Topuria's opponent is still pending, keeping fans and the division in suspense.