The UFC's lightweight throne has rarely seen a character quite like Ilia Topuria. Equal parts technician and brash showman, the undefeated Georgian-Spanish champion has set the MMA community ablaze once more, this time not with highlight-reel knockouts, but with a bold declaration that shakes the lightweight division and stirs the MMA community. In a statement that is bound to stoke controversy, Topuria declared:
Ilia Topuria says he would vacate his title before giving Arman Tsarukyan the next title shot 😬
“They are gonna give him a fight before the title shot… I'm the world champion. I'm never gonna give him a chance… If that's the case, take my belt.”
🎥 @nelkboys pic.twitter.com/eZjrY2gvrk
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 24, 2025
With this pronouncement, Topuria has drawn the battle lines, not only sidestepping a surging contender in Tsarukyan but also forcibly turning the championship narrative toward a different contender for his first title defense. But is this tactical warfare, brand-building bravado, or fear of an emerging threat? And, critically, who should Topuria face next: perennial action hero Justin Gaethje or fan-favorite Paddy Pimblett?
The Tsarukyan Snub: Statement of Strength or Dodging Danger?
Ilia Topuria’s refusal to grant Arman Tsarukyan the next title shot is more than the usual champion’s politicking. In today’s hyper-connected fight culture, these words have seismic implications. Topuria, beloved for his devastating right hands and magnetic personality, is staking his legacy on his terms. But at what cost?
On one hand, Tsarukyan has bulldozed his way into title contention. A rising lightweight with world-class wrestling, suffocating top control, and an iron will, Arman’s recent performances have made him arguably the division’s most deserving challenger. Turning down such an opponent would traditionally be cause for criticism—a “champion’s duty” narrative that’s dogged previous UFC titleholders.
Yet, Topuria’s reasoning seems as much psychological warfare as pragmatic calculus. By dismissing Tsarukyan, he redirects media and fan attention, potentially lessening Tsarukyan’s negotiating leverage and keeping his own storyline dominant. It's a risky play, courting both resentment and mystique.
Imagine calling yourself a champion, but you’re already looking for a way out. You can vacate it, or I’ll take it. Either way, it’s mine. https://t.co/37ioTAt2vk
— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) July 24, 2025
Topuria, with his massive Spanish following and highlight-friendly style, brings eyeballs. Tsarukyan, for all his talent, is less proven at the box office. For Ilia and team, that calculus matters.
Still, one cannot ignore the optics. By threatening to vacate rather than face a surging, ranked contender, Topuria courts criticism for “ducking” and leaves the UFC in a precarious matchmaking position.
Gaethje or Pimblett: Who Should Be Next?
With Tsarukyan out, at least by Topuria's decree, the question now pivots: who should be handed the opportunity to dethrone one of MMA’s most exciting new kings?
Justin Gaethje: The Proven Banger
Few names in UFC history evoke as much visceral excitement as Justin Gaethje. The “Highlight,” former interim champ, and knockout artist is a perennial fan favorite with a resume that reads like a who’s-who of lightweight legends. Gaethje brings guaranteed fireworks, a granite chin (though recently tested), and a reputation for fight-of-the-year performances.
Justin Gaethje lays out his dream scenario:
“I beat Topuria this year, defend it against Holloway on the White House lawn, and retire with the BMF and the championship belt.” 👀
(via @espnmma) pic.twitter.com/n72iuT4CvY
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 22, 2025
From a competitive standpoint, Gaethje is the toughest ask. He’s faced the very best, boasts excellent collegiate wrestling that could, in theory, neutralize Topuria’s grappling, and packs the kind of high-volume, pressurizing striking that would push the champion to his limits. From a business perspective, a Topuria vs. Gaethje showdown is a box-office bonanza, instant main-event material.
Paddy Pimblett: The People’s Pick
Enter “The Baddy.” Paddy Pimblett, for all his polarizing quirks and social media stardom, is steadily climbing the UFC ranks. His personality is larger than life, his British fanbase is rabid, and the “Paddy Era” narrative has UFC marketing execs salivating. However, from a pure sporting sense, Pimblett remains a step behind the division’s elite. Despite an undefeated UFC record, his wins, while impressive, have come against unranked or fringe contenders.
Paddy Pimblett called the Ilia Topuria scuffle spot-on before it even happened 🤯😂 pic.twitter.com/K2R0MaEH9m
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 1, 2025
Yet, what Pimblett lacks in top-10 wins he more than makes up for in hype. The pre-fight build, the press conferences, the weigh-in shenanigans, Pimblett brings viral energy. Matching Topuria’s alpha bravado with Paddy’s crowd-pleasing antics is a business move that could shatter European PPV records.
Topuria’s refusal to face Tsarukyan might unsettle the purists, but it also shifts the spotlight. Either Gaethje or Pimblett for his first title defense offers unique drama: violence and legacy versus hype and spectacle. No matter the route, the world will be watching to see if “El Matador” can keep dancing with danger, or if, eventually, he’ll have to face the music he’s orchestrated.
