The lightweight champion of the UFC came under some criticism after a few recent comments he made.
Many believe that Arman Tsarukyan should be the next competition in line to challenge the title of 155 pounds.
However, the champion itself is clearly not in favor of this, with Topuria recently claiming that he would leave the belt if that is what the UFC wants to do afterwards.
This received a lot of pushback from fans and fellow hunters, with some who accused 'El Matador' of the diving of the man who, according to many, is his greatest threat.
Paul Felder and Michael Bisping planned Topuria for this recent explanation and say that the undefeated star must be willing to face who the top candidate is.
Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC
Fans refer to the middleweight title of Michael Bisping in response to his criticism of Ilia Topuria
Paul Felder passionately argued for why he “hates” to hear Ilia Topuria talk about how he is not willing to entertain a fight with Arman Tsarukyan.
He simply claimed that “it is not how the F— works”, with his colleague UFC commentator Michael Bisping with Felder's comments about the podcast of Believe You Me.
After a clip of the podcast was placed on social media again, some fans mainly had the problem with Bisping to make this point.
'The Count' finally reached his dream of becoming UFC champion when he made Luke Rockhold Van Streek, before he stood opposite Henderson and a recurring Georges St-Pierre in his two title defenses.
There was some criticism during Bisping's reign that he fights against colleague legends instead of defending the belt against the best contenders of the division in Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero.
After Whittaker won the interim title by beating Romero on UFC 213, he was eventually promoted to undisputed champion after St-Pierre retired after his victory over Bisping at UFC 217.
“Michael Bisping fought Henderson instead of Robert Ahahaha.”
“Just like Bisping Whittaker did the 50-year-old Henderson dived?”
“Bisping dived Yoel and Whittaker VAT.”
“That's a bit rich that he doesn't come from Bisping, no?
“Valid if Bisping had fought with Yoel.”
“Bisping did the same – avoiding Yoel and fighting an old A – Dan Henderson and a substandard GSP that never fought in the middleweight.”
Michael Bisping and Paul Felder are not impressed by Ilia Topuria control free from Arman Tsarukyan 👀🔥 👀🔥
“In this generation of hunters, when they get into the top position, they are so willing to jump around weight classes and try to deny fighting boys. It's not how the f ****** … pic.twitter.com/2vefdvw38f
– Red Corner MMA (@redcorner_Mma) July 29, 2025
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Arman Tsarukyan offered Ilia Topuria a huge gamble to try to seduce him into a title fight
Although there are probably larger fights for Ilia Topuria at the moment, Arman Tsarukyan is perhaps the most credible challenger, even if he withdrew from his previous title fight.
To place his money where his mouth is, Tsarukyan recently offered during a performance on the overogs -podcast, to put half a million at risk in a winner, all matchup with the current champion because of the financial status of both gentlemen.
Topuria also recently suggested that he believes that the UFC will insist to Justin Gaethje to be his next challenger instead.