Ilia Topuria, the UFC featherweight world champion, stated on Thursday that he is preparing for a potential fight for the lightweight title, although he lamented that neither Russian Islam Makhachev nor Brazilian Charles Oliveira seem willing to face him.

"I'm preparing for whatever comes next," said the Spanish-Georgian fighter. "I have no idea when the next fight will be, but my focus is on Makhachev or Oliveira. I don’t see another opponent, but neither of them seems willing to step up," he added.

From "Matador" to "The Legend"

Topuria also announced that he is leaving behind his "Matador" nickname and will now go by "The Legend." "I remember the first time I called myself 'Matador,' everyone jumped on me. But champions make things happen," he said. With a record of 16 wins and no losses in MMA, he is now targeting the 70.3 kg division title.

Regarding the possibility of bringing a UFC event to Spain, Topuria was realistic: "The problem is the timing. For it to work in the U.S., it would have to be at four or five in the morning. I don't see it being feasible."