Ilia Topuria recently claimed that he believes that there are two names that will probably be his first title -challenge.
After his victory over UFC 317, it seemed that the next opponent of the new champion had already been decided, after the face of Topuria with Paddy Pimblett.
However, Topuria now believes that Pimblett still needs a victory while addressing which direction he thinks the UFC is going in.
Justin Gaethje has courageously claimed that he will retire if he is not in line the next one after he becomes frustrated that he was not rewarded for doing the UFC Gunsten.
There is another name in the mix that, according to many, is the rightful challenger for the title of Topuria, although he clearly does not see it in this way.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Ilia Topuria says he would rather leave his title than Arman Tsarukyan then after what happened on UFC 311
Both for and after he won the empty lightweight title, Ilia Topuria kept critically about Arman Tsarukyan.
The best competition in the division, outside of Islam Makhachev, which is no longer a lightweight, successfully weighed as the back -up hunter for UFC 317.
Dana White claimed that this Tsarukyan would not guarantee the next shot, even if it was a step in the right direction after he withdrew from his UFC 311 title fight on late notification due to an injury.
Topuria believes that both Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett need a different victory before they face him, and says he thinks the UFC will insist to Justin Gaethje to be his next opponent.
During a live stream with the Nelk boys, the champion went so far that he said he would rather leave his title than Tsarukyan being by the hand because he does not want to risk his opponent withdrawing.
'If you put so much effort [into] the game and you have a man in front [of you]That you don't know he might pull out of the fight, that's not something good for us. “Oh my back.” Bro, I am not f – care.
“They are going to give him a fight for the title shot because there is no way. I am the world champion, I will never give him the chance to fight for the world title. I would be, if that is the case, take my belt. I don't do it.”
Ilia Topuria says he would leave his title before he would give Arman Tsarukyan the next title shot 😬
“They are going to give him a fight for the title shot … I am the world champion. I will never give him a chance … If that is the case, take my belt.”
🎥 @Nelkboys pic.twitter.com/ezjry2gvrk
– Championship Rounds (@champrds) July 24, 2025
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Arman Tsarukyan responds to Ilia Topuria's comments about leaving the title
It was not too long before Arman Tsarukyan saw Ilia Topuria's comments about leaving the title and chose to respond.
Dana White's comments apparently appear that he and Topuria are on the same page and that Tsarukyan has to fight again to earn another title shot after what happened at UFC 311.
The man who, according to many, is the rightful subsequent competition, clearly does not think much of the recent comments from the current champion.
“Imagine you call yourself a champion, but you are already looking for a way out. You can leave it, or I will take it. Anyway, it's mine.”
Imagine calling yourself a champion, but you are already looking for a way out. You can leave it or I assume it. Anyway, it's mine. https://t.co/37iotat2VK
– Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@aranufc) July 24, 2025
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Unfortunately for Tsarukyan it seems that only 'El Matador' feels in this way, which suggests that he has to prove himself as the rightful competition for the second time.