Back in February, Dana White & Co. ignited the MMA world by announcing Ilia Topuria‘s planned move to the lightweight division. Fans of the soon-to-be-former featherweight champion were ecstatic, seeing echoes of legendary double champs like Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes—icons who became double champs and etched their names into UFC history. But the excitement didn’t last long. The buzz quickly turned into confusion when Dana White confirmed that ‘La Leyenda’ has decided to vacate his featherweight crown to step up to 155 pounds.

Though Topuria will remain the division’s titleholder until UFC 314—where the vacant belt would be up for grabs between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes—the sense of disappointment lingered. Things took a more controversial turn when Diego Lopes addressed the situation publicly, claiming that the UFC’s stance was firm: “If you want to go up a division, you have to vacate your title.” Lopes’ statement sparked an immediate debate among fans and media. Was this the end of the dual-champion era? Dana White didn’t waste time responding.

At a press conference during UFC Seattle fight week, he directly dismissed Lopes’ assertion. White clarified that he has “no problem” with fighters aiming to hold two belts simultaneously, but he also made it clear! They will have to clear their own divisions first and will have to stay active in both weight classes. “If there’s a guy that thinks he can do it and wants to defend both belts and has accomplished all these great things, I would have no problem with it. But, you’re gonna be busy.”

Just when it seemed like the dust had settled, new details emerged—this time from behind closed doors. Ilia Topuria’s coach, Jorge Climent, recently joined Submission Radio and shed light on how negotiations played out. When the host asked: “Was there ever an option for Ilia Topuria to keep his belt and move up to 155? Or did the UFC make it clear he had to vacate if he moved up?” Climent revealed that there was a disconnect between Topuria’s camp and the UFC, explaining:

“They [Dana White and UFC] were very clear with us. They didn’t say they were against fighters moving up in weight. No, but if you want to go up a division, you have to vacate your title. That’s the policy for all champions considering a move.”

However, White had clarified at the same UFC Seattle presser that it was Topuria who decided to vacate the belt so that he did not hold the division hostage. “No, he did that,” White revealed about Topuria’s decision to relinquish his belt before changing weight classes. “He said, ‘I’ve done everything I can do here, I’m ready to move up’ and he vacated it.”

The head honcho added, “He said, ‘I shouldn’t be holding up anybody’s opportunities.’ I respect when guys do that. I think he felt he had done everything with the guys that he beat. If you look at who he beat and how he beat them, right? And I don’t think he loved making that weight anymore.”

Right now, the UFC’s lightweight division is entering a pressure-packed phase. Long known as one of the most talent-rich divisions in the promotion, it’s facing even more intrigue following Ilia Topuria’s decision to step up to 155 pounds. The reigning featherweight king set his sights on Islam Makhachev’s title, but Makhachev and his camp have already drawn a line—they’re not giving

‘La Leyenda’ an instant shot at gold. Instead, they’ve made it clear: he needs to “earn his title shot.”

And this is where the waters start to get murky. Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira—two of the lightweight division’s most battle-tested contenders—have each bolstered their cases with recent wins and are both eyeing the next shot at Islam Makhachev. Neither man is willing to step aside, both believing their resume speaks loud enough. But now, a new twist has entered the picture.

According to a recent leak from UFC Vegas 105’s Spanish broadcast, a high-stakes matchup between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira is reportedly in the works. Yet just as the rumor started to gain traction, Topuria’s latest remarks cast doubt on the leaked info—raising serious questions about what’s going on behind the scenes. Let’s break it down!

Ilia Topuria revealed Dana White & Co.’s promises

Ilia Topuria—who dethroned the legendary Alexander Volkanovski and shattered the iron chin of Max Holloway—doesn’t seem like someone who’d give up his featherweight crown without serious leverage. And he likely didn’t. That belief isn’t just speculation! Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub has already backed it. Now, Charles Oliveira’s coach, Diego Lima, has echoed the same sentiment, doubting that ‘La Leyenda’ would walk away from his belt without a guarantee in hand.

Speaking to Alvaro Colmenero, Lima shared insight into what he believes happened behind the scenes between Dana White and Ilia Topuria’s camp. “[Ilia] Topuria hasn’t vacated the featherweight title without some compromise, without some advanced negotiation. I think Topuria only moves up to fight for the belt.”

That claim gained even more traction last month when Topuria himself appeared in a Spanish media interview and confirmed what many suspected. “The UFC promised me a title shot. That’s why I vacated my belt.”

Now the question is—what’s your take on Dana White’s approach to dual-division champions? Was the UFC right to have Ilia Topuria vacate the featherweight belt to keep the division moving? Or should champs be allowed to chase greatness across weight classes without giving anything up? Share your thoughts below.