Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) vacated his UFC Featherweight Championship on Feb. 19 of this year, a vacation that became effective once the UFC 314 main event began on April 12. At the time of the announcement, UFC CEO Dana White mentioned the reasoning behind Topuria’s move.
“[Ilia] Topuria felt like he’s done all he can in that division,” White began “and he feels like he’s cemented his legacy and his body cannot make the weight anymore, so Topuria will be moving up to 155-lb and will be vacating the title.