rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Ilia Topuria is changing things up ahead of his bid to win a second divisional UFC title.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Fighting that the former featherweight champion has parted ways with longtime coaches Jorge and Augustin Climent ahead of his vacant lightweight championship headliner against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 28.
Marca was first to report the news.
It’s important to note both sides are parting on great terms, and the move is being made from a logistical standpoint. Busy schedules and living in different cities have made it more difficult to maintain things the way they were in the past, but there is absolutely no ill will on either side, per a person with knowledge of the situation.
Topuria recently vacated the UFC featherweight title ahead of a move to the lightweight division, citing the weight cut was getting more difficult. “El Matador” hoped for a massive fight with Islam Makhachev for the 155-pound title, but Makhachev is instead making the move up to welterweight to challenge new champion Jack Della Maddalena later this year.
With Makhachev vacating the lightweight championship, Topuria and Oliveira cap off the UFC’s annual International Fight Week pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
