Topuria targets welterweight gold after Gaethje defence at UFC White House

Ilia Topuria is setting his sights on a third UFC title, declaring he wants to challenge Islam Makhachev at welterweight once he has dealt with interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje at UFC White House on June 14. The undefeated Georgian-Spaniard, who holds a 17-0 professional record, made clear the ambition is not new — it is a long-standing goal he intends to pursue.

“Always, always. I want to collect a third belt, everyone knows that,” Topuria said. “And after this fight, if the UFC wants to give me the opportunity to move up to the welterweight division and fight against the current champion, Islam Makhachev, I will be very happy. Why not? If you don’t take risks, there’s no champagne.”

Topuria’s path to this point has already been remarkable. He captured the featherweight title and defended it once before moving up to lightweight, where he claimed the vacant belt against Charles Oliveira. A potential clash with Makhachev (28-1) is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated matchups in recent UFC history.

Makhachev’s own trajectory adds another layer of intrigue. The Dagestani fighter defended the lightweight title four times before moving up to welterweight himself, where he dethroned Jack Della Maddalena to claim that championship. The two men have been on a collision course for some time — Topuria was already calling for a lightweight title shot against Makhachev before the latter vacated the division.

Rumours have circulated that a Topuria versus Makhachev welterweight title fight was originally considered for the June 14 White House card. UFC president Dana White has denied those reports, though both fighters have hinted they were approached about the booking at some stage.

For now, Topuria’s immediate focus is Gaethje. Critics have pointed to a potential size disadvantage should “El Matador” step up to 170 pounds, but Topuria has dismissed those concerns, framing the move as a calculated risk rather than a reckless one. Whether the welterweight chapter opens later this year will depend on what happens in the lightweight main event first.