Ilia Topuria has explained his decision to relinquish the UFC featherweight championship.
The Spanish fighter, originally from Georgia, vacated the 145-pound belt he took from Alexander Volkanovski in February to aim for the lightweight title instead.
Ilia Topuria returns to the octagon at UFC 317 later this month
The 28-year-old left the division after securing the title from Volkanovski, having previously faced numerous tough contenders in the weight class.
The Georgian-born Spaniard will face Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317
The demanding process of cutting approximately 40 pounds was ultimately the main factor driving his permanent move back up to lightweight.
The fight will be Topuria`s first since he vacated the featherweight title
He told ESPN Deportes: “During that time [when cutting weight], I’m so depleted. I didn’t want to experience that difficulty anymore. It felt like living in a desert, and I wished I was living on the beach.”
Topuria appears to have gained significant muscle mass on his frame in preparation for his bout against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 later this month.
This upcoming fight marks his first since parting ways with his long-time coaches Jorge and Augustin Climent and making Madrid his main training location.
The separation was friendly, with Jorge commenting to Submission Radio: “You always feel a sadness, but this is life. We were part of his journey, and now he has grown and wants to go his own way, you know?
Ilia Topuria used to cut over a stone in weight to make the featherweight limit
“We are very proud of how far we went with him. We are very proud of everything he has achieved.
“Certainly, we are a little sad, but I hope everything in his life continues to go well.
“I wish nothing but the best for him and his brother, and I believe they feel the same way about us.
“I don’t know what the future holds. We are following our own path right now. We have affection for him. We have affection for his brother.
“We know he’s going to defeat everyone he competes against because he’s exceptional. He will always hold a special place in our hearts, like a son.”
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