LAS VEGAS - Ilia Topuria believes Alexander Volkanovski wants to move back to lightweight after UFC 290 because he sees Islam Makhachev as a more winnable matchup.

Topuria (14-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) punched his ticket to top featherweight contender status with a UFC on ABC 5 main event win over Josh Emmett this path month. He eagerly awaits the outcome of Saturday's championship bout between Volkanovski (25-2 MMA, 12-1 UFC) and Yair Rodriguez (15-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC), which takes place at T-Mobile Arena and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.

Whether Topuria will actually get the winner remains to be seen. Volkanovski is keen to avenge what's currently his only octagon defeat against Makhachev from UFC 284 in February, and said he thinks he'll get the opportunity with a successful title defense against Rodriguez.

Topuria questions the true motivation by the potential move back up, and he thinks it's because Volkanovski wants to avoid him.

"He's looking for a rematch with Islam," Topuria told MMA Junkie at UFC X Radio. "He wants to go up to 155 because he's running from the real danger. He knows where the real danger is, and it's me in 145. He's looking for an easy way. He wants to move up to 155.

"Without any doubt (he thinks it's the easier fight). He was already with him in the cage. He did nothing to him. They went to the decision, like a normal fight. He want to go back. Of course."

If Topuria does get his wish for a fight with Volkanovski (or Rodriguez if he emerges victorious), he thinks there's potential for a gigantic fight.

An undefeated contender against one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport would be an easy sell for MMA fans, and Topuria thinks there's serious selling potential.

"It could be huge," Topuria said. "It really could be huge. We'll see how the UFC, how they're going to promote the fight. It could be huge."

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 290.