Just as fans may have received hope to see Ilia Topuria in action again soon, a new update has crushed such a conversation.
Since Topuria came up in the UFC to a second mountain top, the focus was on which challenge he will wait the next in the Octagon.
Topuria caught Charles Oliveira on UFC 317 last June to follow his short reign in featherweight with immediate title glory on 155 pounds. Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett and Arman Tsarukyan have all set up their claims for the first shot to rid 'El Matador'.
It seemed that the American Ultimatum's pension had paid off, with the manager of Topuria in November in the Gaethje Fight for UFC 322 in Madison Square Garden. That came shortly after Renato Moicano unveiled 'Whispers' from Topuria vs Gaethje in New York City for that date.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Spanish journalist closes the conversation about Ilia Topuria back to UFC 322
That speculation gave a blow to the other two contenders who compete for a chance. While Pimblett was confronted with Topuria on UFC 317 and hoped that his hostility with the champion would increase his chances, Tsarukyan is branded the most deserving option.
But they may have risen after a recent update by the Spanish reporter Alvaro Colmenero, who tackles the recent speculation around two hunters from his country, Topuria and Joel Alvarez.
He made it talk about both Topuria's UFC 322 -backkeer and a UFC Paris outing for 'El Fenomeno', instead it suggests a return for the lightweight king probably before the beginning of 2026.
“Many of you have written me asking if it is true that Joel Alvarez fought in Paris and Ilia Topuria in New York,” wrote Colmenero.
“As far as I know, the answer is no.
“I hope Joel can fight in October/November and Topuria in January/February,” he added.
This confirms recent comments from the best competition. Tsarukyan revealed plans to continue from Topuria and to focus on a title -eliminator, given that the next lightweight title fight will not take place this year.
🤔 muchos me habéis escrito para preguntme si es Verdad que joel Álvarez Peleaba and París e Ilia Topuria and Nueva York.
✖️ Hasta Dede Yo Sé, La Respuesta Es Nr.
🇪🇸 Espero Que Joel Pueda Pelear and Octubre/Noviembre Y Topuria and Energo/February.
– Álvaro Colmenero (@kolmeneromma) 27 August 2025
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Daniel Cormier exclaims Khabib Nurmagomedov's 'Crazy' Ilia Topuria
If Gaethje finally gets the kink, Khabib Nurmagomedov will probably be one of the disappointed. 'The Eagle' has put his support behind the claim of Tsarukyan and even made a daring prediction for how he would do it against the champion.
Khabib would choose Tsarukyan eight times in 10 hours above Topuria, an opinion that attracted a shocked reaction from the former American kickboxing academy teammate of Dagestani, Daniel Cormier.
“80% -20% is crazy,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel.
“80% -20% is difficult if someone fights. The only time that 80% -20% can be thought in the case of Khabib and Jon Jones. They are the only people who have gone through this whole thing without losing.
“Guess who more has been lost? Ilia Topuria,” Cormier continued. “It is strange to place it on the other side of that 80% -20%.
“I don't believe that for a second. I really don't agree with Khabib.