Ilia Topuria | The Shackles Are Off

Ilia Topuria knows his body well, and if his pre-fight assessment proves accurate, get ready for something special when he returns to the Octagon at UFC 317.

The former undisputed featherweight champion surprised the MMA world when he decided to vacate the 145-pound title to move up to lightweight in a quest for two-belt glory. When the move was confirmed, some wondered whether Topuria – an elite featherweight – would be able to compete against taller, stronger fighters in the weight class above.

Topuria, however, sees things very differently.

"This is the first time that I actually feel like I'm 100 percent, because in the past, I always had to cut the weight," he explained during an…