UFC lightweight star Michael Chandler picked who he believes has the best chance to hand Ilia Topuria his first career defeat.
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is now at the top of the heap of the promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings after knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Topuria joined an exclusive club at UFC 317 as he became the UFC’s latest two-division titleholder.
After earning the belt, Topuria has been linked to matchups with several top lightweights, including Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan was supposed to headline UFC 311 earlier this year opposite Islam Makhachev before withdrawing due to injury.
Michael Chandler has competed against several contenders who make intriguing cases for a title shot, including Paddy Pimblett and Gaethje. But Chandler believes one lightweight stands above the rest when it comes to giving Topuria a dangerous challenge.
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Michael Chandler makes surprising pick for who has the best chance to beat Ilia Topuria
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Chandler weighed in on the lightweight title mix and who has the best chance at defeating Topuria.
“I would give it to Gaethje, and if not Gaethje, then probably Paddy [Pimblett],” Chandler opined.
“The crazy thing is that Gaethje has obviously cleaned it up a lot. The old Gaethje would probably get starched because he would run into one of those big punches. He’s definitely cleaned it up, Paddy is going to stay away, and as big as he talks, he’s going to be a bit cognizant and evade the power. Arman is probably the best grappler in the division.
“Best chance to beat Ilia? I would still go Gaethje,” Chandler continued. “Just because of how impressive his entire career has been, and he’s kind of cleaned it up and I believe he’ll fight more tactically. I think he would fight tactically and he has the best chance of beating him.”
Chandler and Gaethje put on one of the greatest fights in UFC history at UFC 268. In a three-round war, Chandler fell to Gaethje by unanimous decision, despite putting Gaethje in significant danger in the opening round.
Gaethje has gone on to trade wins and losses in the UFC lightweight division, but is fresh off a win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. He bounced back impressively after a buzzer-beating knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300.
Topuria hopes to return to the Octagon by year’s end to defend the UFC lightweight title, but his refusal to face one top contender has complicated the title mix.
Ilia Topuria continues to refuse fight with top contender Arman Tsarukyan
Topuria has repeatedly dismissed the notion of fighting Tsarukyan for his fight title defense. The UFC lightweight champion has gone as far as threatening to vacate the belt if the promotion offers him the Tsarukyan fight.
This has left many top fighters and analysts, including former lightweight contender Paul Felder, scolding Topuria for declining to fight Tsarukyan. After Tsarukyan’s UFC 311 withdrawal, UFC CEO Dana White and the matchmakers told Tsarukyan he has to win at least one fight before earning another title shot.
Enter Gaethje, who could potentially get the next title shot over Topuria’s longtime foe, Pimblett, and Tsarukyan. Gaethje is 0-2 in lineal UFC lightweight title fights in his career in the cage.