UFC 317 Headliner Ilia Topuria is not willing to fight this weekend with Paddy Pimblett.
Former UFC -Fedweight Champion Ilia Topuria can be on a collision course with one of his old rivals if he wins the empty lightweight belt on UFC 317 this weekend.
Topuria and former UFC light weight champion Charles Oliveira Headline A stacked card this Saturday in Las Vegas on UFC 317. Topuria and Oliveira will fight for the empty lightweight title, swept by Islam Makhakev last month as the UFC's Pond-Pound King.
In the meantime, Topuria and old enemy Paddy Pimblett might be the fight to make when Topuria does the job this weekend. But surprisingly, Topuria is not in a hurry to make the Pimblett fight flower.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Ilia Topuria Matchmakes for Paddy Pimblett and convinces him against one fight 'he will lose'
Pimblett went into the title shot conversation when he finished Michael Chandler on UFC 315 earlier this year. Although Topuria was not impressed by Pimblett's performance, he was ecstatic in the possibility of a fight in the Octagon that was useful for both parties.
Topuria and Pimblett have been on each other's nerves for years from a legal hotel in 2022 in London. Pimblett recently teased potentially ramping of UFC 317 by turning Topuria off if the two parties crossed paths.
Although Topuria is not in a hurry to give Pimblett a title shot if he wins the belt this weekend, he suggested a star opponent for the British star to make a stronger business.
During his UFC 317 Media Day conference, Topuria was asked how Pimblett can earn a lightweight title shot and a potential future collision between the two old rivals.
“If he wants to insure his title shot, he has to fight Justin Gaethje. Because when he fights with Arman, I think Arman will beat him,” Topuria said.
“So the easiest path for him to get the title shot is stylistic.”
Arman Tsarukyan will serve this week as the UFC 317 Backup Fighter for the Topuria versus Oliveira main event. Earlier this year, Tsarukyan would face Makhachev opposite UFC 311 opposite Makhachev before he cancel hours due to a back injury.
Pimblett remains unbeaten in his UFC official period with victories against people like Jared Gordon, Bobby Green and Tony Ferguson. In the meantime, Justin Gaethje might be teased if he does not get the next lightweight title shot.
Ilia Topuria could lure Islam Makhachev back to lightweight after UFC 317
While Topuria vs. Makhachev is on the shelf, it is not yet completely off the table, while Makhachev is preparing for his title shot of Welterweight. Makhachev is expected to be confronted with Jack della Maddalena later this year, while competing for the status of two weight status.
But Makhachev is not firmly against return to lightweight, for the right price and opponent. Topuria's pay-per-view salability could be the motivation that Makhachev should go back to 155 pounds.
In the meantime, Topuria has the opportunity to start a new era in the lightweight division of the UFC at UFC 317. Don't be surprised if Makhachev is Topuria's Callout -Wit this weekend with a win.