Ilia Topuria is being supported by Joe Rogan to move up to lightweight and challenge Islam Makhachev, despite some arguments that he should first clear out his featherweight division.
Ilia Topuria is eager to move up to lightweight and challenge Islam Makhachev. Now, he has Joe Rogan backing him for that fight. Rogan’s support adds an intriguing twist.
During his Fight Companion podcast for UFC 312, Rogan looked ahead to 2025. He immediately mentioned Topuria vs. Makhachev as a must-see fight. While some argue Topuria hasn’t cleared out featherweight yet, the allure of him fighting at 155 pounds is undeniable.
“As crazy as it sounds, I hope Ilia goes up to [155 pounds]. I really do,” Rogan said. “[Alexander] Volkanovski-Diego Lopes [at] 145, Ilia goes up to 55. I don’t care if he only defended the title one time or didn’t, who cares. Let’s go. Let’s f*cking go.”
Rogan’s enthusiasm is contagious. He doesn’t mind if Topuria skips other featherweight contenders. “It’d be nice [to see him fight some of the other contenders at featherweight] but also who cares? Let’s go. Let’s f*cking go.”
Topuria may have defended his belt just once, but he’s taken down two of the sport’s best featherweights recently. After finishing Alexander Volkanovski to win the belt, he stunned everyone with a knockout over Max Holloway.
Talks have been swirling about a rematch between Topuria and Volkanovski. However, Rogan thinks Volkanovski should secure another win first to re-establish himself.
“If you want to make the big fight for July, is it the Volkanovski rematch? I don’t know,” Rogan mused. “Volkanovski, people probably want to see him win one.”
Volkanovski faced tough losses: beaten by Islam, then KO’d by both Islam and Ilia. Two KO losses in a row might mean it’s time for him to beat a contender.
If UFC opts for Topuria vs. Volkanovski 2, Rogan isn’t against it but recalls the brutal end of their first encounter. He wants Volkanovski at his peak this time.
“I wouldn’t hate a rematch,” Rogain admitted about Topuria vs. Volkanovski 2. “It’s one of those ones where I hope Alex is 100 percent and I want to see it but he shouldn’t have fought him that quickly after getting KO’d by Islam.”