The UFC’s lightweight champion has come under some criticism following some recent comments that he made.
Many believe that Arman Tsarukyan should be the next contender in line to challenge for the 155 pound title.
However, the champion himself is clearly not in favor of this, with Topuria recently claiming that he’d vacate the belt if that’s what the UFC want to do next.
This received plenty of pushback from fans and fellow fighters, with some accusing ‘El Matador’ of ducking the man who many believe is his biggest threat.
Paul Felder and Michael Bisping slated Topuria for this recent statement, saying that the undefeated star should be willing to face whoever the top contender is.
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Fans reference Michael Bisping’s middleweight title reign in response to his criticism of Ilia Topuria
Paul Felder passionately made the case for why he “hates” to hear Ilia Topuria talk about how he isn’t willing to entertain a fight with Arman Tsarukyan.
He simply claimed that “it’s not how it f—— works”, with his fellow UFC commentator Michael Bisping agreeing with Felder’s comments on the Believe You Me Podcast.
After a clip of the podcast was reposted on social media, some fans took issue with Bisping in particular making this point.
‘The Count’ finally achieved his dream of becoming UFC champion when he upset Luke Rockhold, before facing Dan Henderson and a returning Georges St-Pierre in his two title defenses.
There was some criticism during Bisping’s reign that he was fighting fellow legends instead of defending the belt against the division’s top contenders in Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero.
After Whittaker won the interim title by beating Romero at UFC 213, he was eventually promoted to undisputed champion after St-Pierre retired following his win over Bisping at UFC 217.
‘Michael Bisping fought Henderson instead of Robert ahahaha.’
‘Just like Bisping ducked Whittaker for 50-year-old Henderson?’
‘Bisping ducked Yoel and Whittaker btw.’
‘That’s kind of rich coming from Bisping no?
‘Valid if Bisping had fought Yoel.’
‘Bisping did the same s— avoiding Yoel and fighting an old a– Dan Henderson and an undersized GSP who never fought at middleweight.’
Arman Tsarukyan offered Ilia Topuria a huge bet to try and tempt him into a title fight
While there are likely bigger fights out there for Ilia Topuria right now, Arman Tsarukyan may be the most credible challenger, even if he withdrew from his previous title fight.
To put his money where his mouth is, Tsarukyan recently offered, during an appearance on the Overdogs podcast, to put half a million on the line in a winner takes all matchup with the current champion due to both men’s financial statuses.
Topuria also recently suggested that he believes that the UFC will push for Justin Gaethje to be his next challenger instead.