Dustin Poirier, Paddy Pimblett, Renato ‘Moicano,’ React to Ilia Topuria’s LW Plans

Ilia Topuria has attracted a lot of eyeballs at lightweight after announcing his plans to move up.

Topuria won the featherweight title with a vicious knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 this past February. The Spaniard then defended his throne by knocking out Max Holloway for the first time in his career at UFC 308 in October. While Diego Lopes was expecting the next title shot against Topuria, “El Matador” recently announced that we might have seen the last of him 145 pounds. The 27-year-old featherweight king, who is also the youngest champion in the promotion, plans to move up to lightweight and retire by 30. With lightweight champ Islam Makhachev already booked to defend his throne against Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Topuria is plotting a matchup against former champ Charles Oliveira in April or May.

Topuria’s lightweight plans have garnered a lot of attention from elite lightweight contenders. Perennially ranked Dustin Poirier (30-9) reposted a fan’s tweet suggesting a matchup between “The Diamond” and Topuria:

Hear me out... If Ilia wants to move up to LW do Ilia Topuria vs Dustin Poirier@Topuriailia @DustinPoirier @danawhite

— THEMCGINGE (@TheMcGlnge) December 10, 2024

Surging Brit Paddy Pimblett also posted on social media, plotting a potential fight with Topuria.

“New blood at 155?” Pimblett wrote on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paddy THE BADDY Pimblett (@theufcbaddy)

While Renato "Moicano" Carneiro gave credit to Topuria, the Brazilian fan favorite believes the Spaniard will be “easy money” for him. Moicano believes Topuria can knock out many lightweights but expects himself to make quick work of the undefeated featherweight champ on the ground. Currently booked to fight Beneil Dariush at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Moicano is considering a callout of Topuria if he wins.

“To be honest I think he would knock out a lot of people… I think he is very good. But in my defense, I think I would finish him,” Moicano told Ariel Helwani. “Because I’m not a striker, I’m a grappler. And if I get his back, I can finish him 100%. But if you try to strike against him, he is a solid striker. The fight against Max Holloway was just incredible. The guy is good. But to be honest, I think he is very small for the division. I don’t know, I think he should stay at 145… Easy money [for me], I’m gonna show you 155.”

👊 Moicano thinks Ilia Topuria would knock out a lot of fighters at 155, but Renato is ready to welcome him. "Easy money!"

🎥 @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/MfmptRsaFG

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 10, 2024