UFC brass have knowledgeable fighters that they may now not enable two-weight simultaneous champions to be topped, based on Diego Lopes.
The bombshell information is available in mild of Ilia Topuria vacating his featherweight world title to maneuver as much as light-weight.
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UFC president Dana White introduced the information on social media on Thursday, saying: “Topuria felt like he is finished all that he can in that division and he seems like he cemented his legacy and his physique can’t make the load anymore.
“So Topuria will probably be transferring as much as 155lbs and will probably be vacating the featherweight title.
“So the way in which that this works is as quickly as the primary punch was thrown on this combat, the title will probably be vacant and we’ll announce what Topuria’s subsequent combat will probably be when it will get finished.”
Lopes is now because of face Alexander Volkanovski in the primary occasion of UFC 314 on April 12 for the vacant featherweight strap whereas Topuria is anticipated to sq. off in opposition to light-weight king Islam Makhachev.
Offering he wins, he’ll turn out to be a two-weight world champion however the Georgian won’t be able to observe within the footsteps of Conor McGregor and Daniel Cormier in holding two UFC belts on the identical time.
It appears Topuria’s resolution to vacate his 145lbs title was motivated extra by his physique outgrowing the load class.
However based on Lopes, Topuria wasn’t left with a lot of a alternative after the UFC despatched a ‘very clear’ message to its fighters on champion vs champion matchups.
“They have been very clear with us,” Lopes instructed Papa Legaspi.
“They didn’t say they’re not giving an opportunity to individuals which can be leaping from division to division.
“No, if you wish to go up a division, you need to depart your title vacant.
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“That’s what has been instructed to all of the champions who’re considering of going up a division.”
The primary two-weight simultaneous champion in UFC historical past was McGregor.
‘Infamous’ achieved the spectacular feat by snatching the light-weight belt from Eddie Alvarez in 2016 through a second-round TKO whereas additionally being in possession of the featherweight strap.
Cormier was the subsequent fighter to turn out to be a double champ when he flattened Stipe Miocic two years later to unify the sunshine heavyweight and heavyweight titles.
Amanda Nunes then grew to become the primary girl to drag off the legendary accomplishment in the identical yr when the bantamweight queen added the featherweight belt to her assortment by blasting out Cris Cyborg in a spherical.
In 2019, Henry Cejudo grew to become seemingly the final simultaneous UFC champion by defeating Marlon Moraes for the bantamweight belt, one yr after overcoming long-reigning flyweight king Demetrious Johnson.