Ilia Topuria Poised to Achieve Historic Feat in 2026, As Sean O’Malley Decks UFC’s Big Superstar Crisis

Of all the success stories these last two seasons, Ilia Topuria has been a hard-hitting one. The tenth two-division champion and only the second to hold the 144/155-pound golds, Topuria has enjoyed a different kind of success. More so than Alex Pereira, Sean O’Malley, the once-notorious Conor McGregor, and many others.

In June of this year, Topuria joined the select group of UFC champions who have won titles in two different weight divisions. This achievement came after a brief stint as a featherweight champion, with Topuria transitioning straight into a victory that secured the UFC 155-pound title.

‘El Matador’ has long instilled talks of being a three-weight champ, along with those like Pereira. Topuria never lost his belt and is also undefeated at this point. One MMA legend, a former WEC Champ, considers it entirely possible for him to do so.

I could say – Topuria – that guy, with his skill set, he seems to have some crazy power [ant] that translates to the higher weight classes because [that is] the only thing you’re combating when you’re going up and down weight classes — I did the same…little faster when you are the smaller guy.

Ex-WEC champion Urijah Faber to The Schmo via the Schmozone Podcast (@theschmo312)

Adding the welterweight title to his collection is something that Ilia Topuria has spoken of wanting to do. The current path to that belt goes through Islam Makhachev, who succeeded him on the lightweight throne. Both have traded places as #1 P4P fighters, and talks of a super-fight between them also capped the last IFW Festivities and still go on.

It’s currently the biggest of what-if fights on the list of MMA fanatics and netizens. When Sean O’Malley was a 135-pound king and fresh off winning his crown as Best ESPY Fighter, they also bantered about a super-fight and taking the action later to crossover boxing.

While the Spanish-Georgian isn’t going to kickstart the PPV lineup and UFC’s $7.7 Billion Deal With Paramount+, his infamy is unbound. During his ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ Show (@ESPNMMA) for ESPN2/ ESPNPodcenter, the outspoken Chael Sonnen even already posed the question why there isn’t a bigger push for Topuria having a 3rd belt like the BMF, at the least.

Even with top stars, Sean O’Malley highlights UFC’s superstar slate ahead of White House PPV card

The upcoming “America 250” White House PPV card is the biggest spectacle already set for 2026. But, there’s deep scrutiny about the lineup and in absentia names to and/or American staples to star in it.

McGregor is navigating his way back and is billed as a more reliable option than American staple Jon Jones to headline the South Lawn fight. ‘Poatan’, even though he has his 205-pound title back in his clutch, is aiming more at heavyweight and has indicated that he probably won’t be in the White House fight.

The other big seller is Ilia Topuria, who’s navigating personal hassles. Former bantamweight king, Sean O’Malley, has expressed interest in being on he card a few times. Recently, he weighed in on the pitfalls of the White House card with a clear vacuum of star power.

Sean O’Malley on the lack of superstars who will be on the UFC White House event

“White House card has to be massive— Conor we don’t know, Jon Jones doesn’t sound like it’s gonna be him, ain’t gonna be Ilia, ain’t gonna be Pereira.

Who’s the big name?”

via @SugaSeanMMA pic.twitter.com/IYFOqyLzvq

— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) December 24, 2025

Ilia Topuria is one of those big names right now. He took platforms like RadiogacetaRNE Sports, and Radio Gazette by storm and got ovations. UFC Exec Marc Ratner and UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner still have him on the tab for UFC Bernabeu. With his skyrocketing popularity, they expect him to be at par in popularity with the niche Real Madrid FC y FC Barcelona’s ‘El Clásico’.