Ilia Topuria has various options for his first defending defense, but he believes that the UFC has reduced it to only two names.
Last month Ilia Topuria continued his incredible run in the first promotion when he Charles Oliveira Cold in the Main Event of UFC 317 to become the new lightweight champion.
Immediately after the fight, the controversy followed when lightweight competition Paddy Pimblett de Kooi in stormed for a spontaneous face with Topuria, orchestrated by Joe Rogan.
This was not going well with UFC boss Dana White, because he admitted to the press conference after the fight that it should not have happened, because Pimblett will probably not be the next title challenge.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Topuria about whom he thinks the UFC will push and then fight it
After White had revealed that it would probably not be 'The Baddy' to fight for the title, fans wondered who 'El Matador's' First Challenger is.
For a long time, Justin Gaethje, the UFC sent the UFC somewhat from an ultimatum and claimed that if he would not get the title shot, he would probably retire.
Again, this did not go well with White, who advised that Gaethje should retire if he is already retiring and calls his ultimatum 'crazy'.
And with that Justin Gaethje recently rejected a potential fight against Pimblett, stating that the UFC is trying to use him to build their next star.
Nevertheless, the lightweight champion recently revealed who he thinks the promotion will insist and then fight him.
“I don't know (who will give me the UFC to me next time), I think they will try to urge Justin, that's what I think. Or maybe Paddy. There is not even a conversation about Arman (Tsarukyan),” Topuria told the Nelk Boys during a recent live stream.
Many fans believe that Arman Tsarukyan is the deserving challenger, given his impressive run, but White told him that he still has a few ways to go before he recovered a title shot, after withdrawn from UFC 311 only a few hours before the event.
“I had the same problems as he had in his last fight. Every time you cut weight, you always feel that pain in your back because you have dried out … He has to fight again.
“Paddy will be a huge fight, but I don't know why, but he still needs a fight, I don't know why I feel that, but he still needs a fight,” Topuria continued.
Ilia Topuria believes that his next opponent Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett will be
“I think they will try to insist on Justin … or maybe Paddy. There is not even a conversation about Arman.”
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Topuria interested in potential fight against Jack della Maddalena
In addition to his constant feud with Pimblett, the 28-year-old still hopes one day fighting Islam Makhachev, with whom he has been building a rivalry for more than a year.
Not only that, but a feud seems to have recently been fueled by the current Welterweight Champion Jack della Maddalena, who belittled Topuria because he claimed that he is the real BMF champion.
And with that the Spaniard stated that he would be open to a fight against Della Maddalena if he beats Makhachev in their final fight.
“Imagine that Jack beats Islam, that fight would also be great. Yes, I would like to fight him,” Topuria said.