Ilia Topuria’s first selection for his subsequent battle is Islam Makhachev, but when that may’t occur, “El Matador” needs to settle an previous rating.
The light-weight champion presently doesn’t have his first title protection on the books with hopes of dealing with Makhachev, who lately grew to become the welterweight champion after defeating Jack Della Maddalena in the primary occasion of UFC 322.
Topuria has loads of choices, together with high contender Arman Tsarukyan following his dominant stoppage win over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar. But when the rising star had his selection, Topuria is selecting Paddy Pimblett if Makhachev is off the desk.
“I’ve Paddy on my thoughts,” Topuria advised Álvaro Colmenero. “I’d wish to battle Paddy in the event that they don’t let me transfer as much as welterweight to battle Islam. As a result of the battle I would like is in opposition to Islam within the third weight class. However let’s see. Possibly I’ll have yet one more battle, then in summer season [maybe] there’s a date after they’ll let me transfer as much as welterweight, and I’ll battle for the third belt.”
Topuria has had an unimaginable run within the UFC, however his previous three-fight stint has been one of many nice stretches within the historical past of the game. Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to win the featherweight title at UFC 298 in February 2024, after which grew to become the primary to ever cease Max Holloway through strikes eight months later at UFC 308 in what could be his lone 145-pound title protection.
After vacating the title in hopes for a battle with Makhachev, Topuria went on to knock out Charles Oliveira in June to change into the light-weight champion.
If the UFC doesn’t need Topuria to make a full transfer to welterweight, he has a special suggestion the place a battle with Makhachev can nonetheless occur, however for a brand new championship.
“Possibly they’ll create a brand new belt known as the pound-for-pound title at a catchweight,” Topuria stated. “So I’ll battle for that pound-for-pound belt. Let’s see. There’s loads of choices. Let’s see what the long run holds.”
Replace: Tsarukyan responded to Topuria’s feedback on X.
