It’s all change for Ilia Topuria.
The Georgian-Spaniard recently relinquished his UFC featherweight title ahead of an assault at gold in the 145-pound weight class — but ahead of that UFC 317 main event fight for the vacant title in five weeks’ time, Topuria has instituted another big change in his camp by parting ways with his longtime coaches Jorge and Augustin Climent, as reported by Marca.
However, while some fighters have had acrimonious separations from their coaches staffs in the past, Topuria’s is an amicable one and dictated by issues such as Topuria living in a different city to his (now former) coaches.
Topuria will seek to become the latest member of the UFC’s two-division club on June 28 when he takes on Brazilian submission expert (and former 155-pound champion) Charles Oliveira as the battle for gold after Islam Makhachev opted to vacate the UFC lightweight title ahead of a clash with the newly-crowned welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena later this year.
However, it stands to reason that — if he defeats Oliveira — Topuria may well fight Makhachev down the line given a prolonged rivalry with the Russian fighter.
UFC 317 takes place in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on June 28. The event will also feature a flyweight title bout between champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Kai Kara-France.
