Ilia Topuria recently claimed that he believes there are two names that are likely to be his first title challenger.
It appeared after his win at UFC 317 that the new champion’s next opponent had already been decided, following Topuria’s face off with Paddy Pimblett.
However, Topuria now believes that Pimblett needs another win as he addressed which direction he thinks the UFC is going in.
Justin Gaethje has boldly claimed that he’ll retire if he’s not the next in line after becoming frustrated that he hasn’t been rewarded for doing the UFC favors.
There is another name in the mix that many believe is the rightful challenger for Topuria’s title, though he clearly doesn’t see it this way.
Ilia Topuria says he’d rather vacate his title than face Arman Tsarukyan next after what happened at UFC 311
Both before and after he won the vacant lightweight title, Ilia Topuria has been critical of Arman Tsarukyan.
The top contender in the division, outside of Islam Makhachev who is no longer a lightweight, successfully weighed in as the backup fighter for UFC 317.
Dana White claimed that this wouldn’t guarantee Tsarukyan the next shot even if it was a step in the right direction after he withdrew from his UFC 311 title fight on late notice due to an injury.
Topuria believes that both Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett need another win before facing him, stating that he thinks the UFC will push for Justin Gaethje to be his next opponent.
Speaking during a livestream with the Nelk Boys, the champion went as far as to say that he’d rather vacate his title than face Tsarukyan next because he doesn’t want to risk his opponent pulling out.
“When you put so much effort [into] the game and you have a guy in front [of you], who you don’t know that maybe he could pull out from the fight, that’s not something good for us. ‘Oh my back.’ Bro, I don’t f—— care.
“They are gonna give him a fight before the title shot because there’s no way. I’m the world champion, I’m never gonna give him a chance to fight for the world title. I would be like, listen, if that’s the case, take my belt. I don’t do it.”
Arman Tsarukyan responds to Ilia Topuria’s comments about vacating the title
It didn’t take too long for Arman Tsarukyan to see Ilia Topuria’s comments about vacating the title and chose to respond.
Dana White’s comments seemingly showed that he and Topuria are on the same page and that Tsarukyan needs to fight again to earn another title shot after what happened at UFC 311.
The man that many believe to be the rightful next contender clearly doesn’t think much of the current champion’s recent comments.
“Imagine calling yourself a champion, but you’re already looking for a way out. You can vacate it, or I’ll take it. Either way, it’s mine.”
Unfortunately for Tsarukyan, it doesn’t seem like only ‘El Matador’ feels this way, suggesting that he will need to prove himself as the rightful contender for a second time.