The Ilia Topuria title shot sweepstakes are apparently close to ending, but the rumored winner appears to have missed out.
Ever since the undefeated Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to become lightweight king, talk in the division has centered around who will be the first to challenge the Spaniard’s reign.
Three options were quickly laid out for ‘El Matador’, who briefly ruled over the 145-pound weight class before moving up in pursuit of two-division supremacy. Alongside a potential heated clash with Paddy Pimblett, both Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje have been staking their claims.
But while one of those names looked to have pulled ahead of the pack, the latest update has pushed him back and left Topuria’s next fight up in the air once more.
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Georgian reporter says UFC has different plans for both Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje
Recent rumors suggested Topuria was likely to defend against Gaethje next. The former interim champ caused a stir earlier this year when he threatened to retire if the UFC did not give him the shot.
Speculation about that bout was sparked when a social media post that appeared to show Topuria’s manager hinting at it emerged soon after Renato Moicano revealed “whispers” of the fight taking place at UFC 322 in November.
After that was shut down, more rumors recently placed the fight at UFC 323 the following month. But that’s now been dismissed, too, by Georgian reporter Giorgi Kokiashvili of Setanta Sports.
“It’s not happening,” Kokiashvili wrote about an X post regarding Topuria fighting Gaethje at UFC 323.
And more than just the matchup not reaching the Octagon at that event, the Georgian reporter claimed in a follow-up post that the UFC has different plans altogether for both men.
“Other battles are prepared for both. It’s fake,” he replied when a fan suggested Gaethje will get the shot.
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All signs may be pointing toward Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett
If the latest report is accurate and eliminates Gaethje from the equation, the most controversial and polarizing of the three options for Topuria’s first title defense may be in the works.
While Kokiashvili claims the UFC has other plans for Gaethje, Tsarukyan has temporarily moved on from Topuria after claiming the champion won’t be returning until 2026. With that in mind, he’s looking for a title eliminator, and recent speculation places him in a fight with Dan Hooker.
If things go that way, the path may be open for Pimblett to settle his grudge with Topuria in competition for the lightweight belt.
Since the pair faced off at UFC 317, talk of ‘The Baddy’ receiving a title shot has received plenty of backlash from those who don’t see the No. 7-ranked contender as deserving of an opportunity yet.