Michael Bisping hopes Ilia Topuria doesn’t fall into the identical sample as Jon Jones.
On his YouTube channel, Bisping opined on the potential challengers for Topuria, who not too long ago vacated the featherweight title to maneuver as much as light-weight, the place he was profitable in capturing a vacant light-weight title when he knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. The present frontrunners are Paddy Pimblett (a longtime rival that confronted Topuria within the cage after his UFC 317 triumph), Justin Gaethje, and Arman Tsarukyan.
If it have been as much as Bisping, Tsarukyan would get the decision. Tsarukyan is at the moment ranked No. 2 within the UFC’s official contender rankings, behind solely Islam Makhachev, who’s leaving the division to problem welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. Bisping drew parallels between Tsarukyan chasing Topuria, and present heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall not too long ago pursuing a battle with Jon Jones.
“Is Ilia Topuria pulling a Jon Jones?” Bisping requested. “As a result of Arman Tsarukyan is an actual menace to anyone. He’s an incredible fighter. I do know lots of people discredit him for pulling out on the final minute, and rightly so, that’s not a very good look. Nonetheless, he’s a extremely, actually good fighter, easy as that. He can do all of it.
“He’s acquired the placing, the wrestling, the cardio, the power. He’s very younger, he’s in his prime. The person’s an absolute monster. Ilia Topuria stated if the UFC made him battle Arman Tsarukyan, he would vacate the belt.”
Tsarukyan is in a wierd spot as he was alleged to face then-champion Makhachev for the light-weight belt at UFC 311 this previous January, however misplaced the chance when a again harm compelled him out of the competition a day earlier than battle night time. UFC CEO Dana White has stated Tsarukyan probably has to battle once more to earn one other title shot, however that hasn’t stopped Tsarukyan from campaigning to get the Topuria battle.
He has even taking to using related ways to Aspinall, suggesting Topuria is “ducking” the matchup.
“[Topuria] doesn’t need to battle him,” Bisping stated. “He needs nothing to do with Arman Tsarukyan. So now Arman Tsarukyan’s on the market. He’s making movies of little geese. … He’s doing a Tom Aspinall, taking a duck wherever he went with him. Keep in mind that complete saga with Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall? … However now we’ve acquired a brand new model. Now it’s Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan. Arman Tsarukyan’s even betting, providing him $500,000, half 1,000,000 bucks if he beats him. Doing no matter he can to get the battle.”
“You might say that Ilia’s solely doing this to get beneath the pores and skin of Arman Tsarukyan, nevertheless it’s not a very good look,” Bisping added. “In the event you’re the champion – similar to when Jon Jones was the champion – when you’re the champion, you’ve acquired to battle the interim champ if there’s one. In the event you’re the champion, you’re alleged to battle the No. 1 man, easy as that.”
In the meanwhile, Bisping is leaning in direction of Gaethje getting the title shot, as a result of Topuria ruling out Tsarukyan, and Gaethje being each a fan favourite and a revered firm man. Nonetheless, he sees a state of affairs the place Tsarukyan will get the Topuria battle, and Gaethje and Pimblett battle to be subsequent in line.
Whomever Topuria finally ends up combating, Bisping hopes he understands the optics of not dealing with the designated No. 1 contender.
“I don’t need to speak shit about Ilia Topuria as a result of the person is superior,” Bisping stated. “Each time I’ve met him he’s an absolute class act. He’s humble. He’s right down to earth. He’s nice to speak to. He’s very clever. He’s good for the game. He’s an excellent ambassador. He represents two international locations. Fights his goddamn ass off. He’s acquired glorious abilities all over.
“So I ain’t criticizing the man aside from the truth that for no matter cause he doesn’t need to battle Arman Tsarukyan. … Proper now, he’s acquired nothing however large choices. Ilia Topuria must battle. He wants to simply accept the battle with Arman Tsarukyan. As a result of who’s he going to battle? Is it going to be Paddy Pimblett? Arman’s on the market speaking shit about Paddy Pimblett, saying his previous few opponents when you mixed their data they’ve misplaced their final 13 in a row… That doesn’t fairly stack up, however I get the purpose that he’s making nevertheless, he’s constructing his model. Justin Gaethje has been round perpetually, nevertheless he’s ranked No. 3 and he has fought for the belt twice. Arman Tsarukyan is ranked No. 1. Whether or not he likes it, Ilia likes, anybody likes it. If you wish to do it on a merit-based system, Arman Tsarukyan is the man.”
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We gotta do what we gotta do, Angie!
Love.
Let ‘em know.
I imply…
Ideas?
By supporting the Ali “revival” Act has the Affiliation of Boxing Commissions betrayed boxers?
— Erik Magraken (@erikmagraken) July 28, 2025
Topuria vs. Pimblett, that’s the one to make.
However what do I do know? Let your voice be heard!
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