Ilia Topuria expects to become the new lightweight champion at UFC 317, and he’s already plotting out potential matchups for his future.
The former featherweight king, who makes his second appearance at 155 pounds on Saturday when he faces Charles Oliveira in the main event, recognizes that the biggest fight available to him probably revolves around a showdown against Paddy Pimblett. Those two got into a physical altercation several years ago ahead of a UFC event in London, and the bad blood between them has only grown since then.
That’s why Topuria has already called for Pimblett to serve as his first title defense as champion, and he even laid out a plan for the always outspoken Brit to earn that opportunity.
“If he wants to assure his title, he has to fight with Justin Gaethje,” Topuria said during UFC 317 media day on Wednesday. “Because if he fights with Arman [Tsarukyan], I think Arman’s going to beat him. So the easiest path he has to get the title shot is Justin. Stylistically.”
Arman Tsarukyan is weighing in as the backup for the UFC 317 main event, and he’s had his own war of words with Topuria in the lead-up to this card. Back in January, Tsarukyan was scheduled to face then-champion Islam Makhachev, but a back injury forced him off the card at the last minute.
Since then, UFC CEO Dana White has remained adamant that Tsarukyan needs to get a win before he receives another opportunity at the title, but he hasn’t been rebooked since the Makhachev fight fell apart.
Meanwhile, Gaethje has stated he plans to wait for the winner of Topuria vs. Oliveira, so fighting Pimblett might not interest him much.
Much to Gaethje’s chagrin, it’s Pimblett who has Topuria’s attention after he just recently demolished one-time title challenger Michael Chandler. Add to that, the disdain shared between Topuria and Pimblett has all the makings for a blockbuster fight between them.
“That fight easily could be one of the biggest in the UFC history,” Topuria said about a potential matchup with Pimblett. “Listen, I don’t [take anything] personal in this game. It’s all professional.”
Before he can start planning for the future, Topuria first needs to get past Oliveira in the UFC 317 main event.
Topuria already predicted that he expects to march Oliveira down in the octagon and put him away just like he’s done to other legends of the sport, such as Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway.
After hearing those comments, Oliveira promised to employ a similar strategy, and Topuria welcomes that game plan from the former champion.
“Remember, this is what he’s going to try to do,” Topuria said about Oliveira. “That’s not something he’s going to do. He’s going to try to do it. He’s going to try to win. Of course. Not at all [surprised he said that], that’s his job, he has to be confident.”
