UFC CEO Dana White seemed enthused when discussing Islam Makhachev's next fight following UFC Seattle Saturday night.

Topuria, 28, now heads to the perpetually stacked lightweight division to dethrone the champion, Uncrowned's pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter Islam Makhachev. Or at least, that's the expectation. Speaking to media after UFC Seattle on Saturday, White stated that Topuria's next step isn't finalized just yet.

Diego Lopes says UFC’s reenforced stance against champ-vs.-champ fights led to Ilia Topuria vacating the featherweight title.

No, he did that,” White revealed about Topuria’s decision to relinquish his belt before changing weight classes. “He said, ‘I’ve done everything I can do here, I’m ready to move up’ and he vacated it.

Dana White is no stranger to negotiating through the media, but if Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria can be made, you make it.

Dana White dismisses rumors about the UFC forcing Ilia Topuria to vacate the featherweight title, calling the speculation completely false.

At the UFC Seattle post-fight scrum, White also clarified that Ilia Topuria’s decision to vacate his featherweight belt was a choice made by the fighter rather than UFC Brass. White announced Topuria vacating his featherweight title in an update earlier this month.

Ilia Topuria has decided to depart the UFC featherweight division, and former champ Alexander Volkanovski is set to fight for the vacant title at UFC 314.