Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) relinquished his featherweight title for a move up to 155 pounds. With the belt now vacant, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will battle it out to crown a new champion at UFC 314 on April 12.

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier says Ilia Topuria deserves an immediate shot at Islam Makhachev after vacating his featherweight crown.

Dustin Poirier has nothing but respect for Ilia Topuria’s recent decision to move up without holding up a division. In Poirier’s opinion, the former featherweight champion should get a direct title shot without further proving his worth against any of the top lightweight contenders.