The UFC landscape is set for a seismic shift as Dana White confirms two reigning champions are preparing to test their skills in new weight divisions. In a move that has fans buzzing, women’s strawweight queen Weili Zhang and featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria are eyeing fresh challenges outside their current domains.
While Zhang aims to conquer the flyweight division, Topuria has his sights set on lightweight gold. These bold transitions could redefine legacies and shake up multiple weight classes in the process.
Weili Zhang’s Flyweight Ambitions
Weili Zhang, the dominant force in the strawweight division, is ready to chase double-champ status. Fresh off a commanding victory over Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312, the Chinese phenom has earned Dana White’s blessing to move up to 125 pounds.
“Weili will face the winner of Valentina Shevchenko vs. Manon Fiorot,” White revealed, referencing the upcoming flyweight title bout at UFC 315 on May 10.
Zhang’s resume speaks for itself. A two-time strawweight champion with four title defenses, she’s already defeated the division’s top contenders. At 35, the grueling weight cut to 115 pounds has become increasingly taxing, making the move to flyweight a logical next step.
“She’s earned this opportunity,” White emphasized, hinting at a potential superfight later this year.
The timing aligns perfectly. If Shevchenko retains her belt or Fiorot dethrones her, Zhang could challenge for the flyweight title as early as December. Meanwhile, the strawweight division will need a new champion, with Suarez likely to face the winner of Yan Xiaonan vs. Virna Jandiroba for the vacant strap.
Ilia Topuria’s Lightweight Leap
On the men’s side, Ilia Topuria is making waves with his decision to vacate the featherweight title and pursue lightweight glory. Despite only one successful title defense at 145 pounds, the Georgian-Spanish star has struggled with the weight cut and is eager to test himself against bigger opponents. “He wants to challenge Islam Makhachev,” Dana White confirmed, though the fight remains unannounced.
Topuria’s move has left the featherweight division in flux. With Diego Lopez set to face Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant title, Topuria is in a holding pattern, refusing to entertain a bout with top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
“He wants to go straight into a title shot,” White noted, suggesting Topuria’s star power could fast-track him to a lightweight championship opportunity.
What’s Next for the UFC?
These weight-class shifts are more than just personal challenges—they’re strategic moves that could reshape the UFC’s competitive hierarchy. Zhang’s pursuit of a second belt adds intrigue to the women’s flyweight division, while Topuria’s leap to lightweight sets the stage for a potential superfight with Makhachev.
For fans, the excitement lies in the unknown. Will Zhang become a two-division champion? Can Topuria dethrone one of the most dominant lightweights in UFC history? As Dana White succinctly put it, “Stay tuned.”