Michael Bisping has explained what should come next for Ilia Topuria after his UFC 317 title crowning.
Topuria achieved his two-division ambitions in his return to lightweight at last Saturday’s International Fight Week pay-per-view in Las Vegas.
In the UFC 317 main event, Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant 155-pound crown and succeed rival Islam Makhachev on the throne.
Celebrations will be ongoing in the Spaniard’s camp – and even started a day before his victory – but talk has quickly turned to what should come next for him.
And one UFC legend is backing his fellow countryman’s claim to the first shot at Topuria.
Michael Bisping pitches Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje to fight the winner
During a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Michael Bisping advised the UFC to cash in on the hype behind a potential grudge match between Topuria and Paddy Pimblett.
In the immediate aftermath of the UFC 317 main event, Topuria faced off with Pimblett inside the Octagon, furthering a rivalry that was sparked over four years ago by the Scouser’s controversial remarks regarding Georgia.
Despite some seeing Arman Tsarukyan as the undeniable top contender and Justin Gaethje’s threat to retire if he isn’t selected, Bisping would put together Topuria vs. Pimblett next.
And ‘The Count’ even has a venue in mind.
“Those are strong words from Paddy Pimblett,” Bisping said of Pimblett’s claim that he ‘hates’ Topuria. “But maybe that’s what you’ve got to do when you’re the ranked No. 10 lightweight.
“Paddy, you could argue, is the least deserving out of all of them. Justin Gaethje has been in there with some of the best…he’s sitting there ranked No. 4…the number one contender is Arman Tsarukyan.
“For Paddy Pimblett to get this fight, he would be leapfrogging a lot of people. But guess what…if people want to see this guy fight like they do and I’m the UFC and we have this massive fight on our hands…
“Paddy said it himself, there’s never been this much hatred since between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, and we all know the numbers that did,” Bisping continued. “If I am the UFC, if my name’s Dana White, I’m probably gonna book them both for Madison Square Garden. And Justin Gaethje, maybe he gets the winner.”
Arman Tsarukyan isn’t the only lightweight pushing back on Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett
Having successfully weighed in as the UFC 317 backup and defeated Charles Oliveira last time out to earn his original title shot, Tsarukyan firmly believes he should be next.
With that in mind, the Russian-Armenian has been vocal in accusing the new champ of running from him by facing off with Pimblett instead. And he’s not the only one confused by the potential bout.
Another UFC 317 winner, lightweight contender Beneil Dariush, gave a grim prediction about the No. 10-ranked contender’s chances against Topuria.
“Ilia’s performance was a masterclass, you can’t deny that guy, he’s very good, he’s the elite of the elite. As far as with Paddy going in, man, I don’t know why they did that,” Dariush explained to The Schmo.
“It’s almost like, I feel like you’re feeding the kid to the lions but you never know, he might have something we don’t know for Ilia… It’s like a sheep to the slaughter… I genuinely don’t know but so far Ilia has looked unstoppable.”