Ilia Topuria has built his career on being unpredictable and confident. The Georgian-Spanish fighter shocked the world when he knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the title earlier last year. Then he followed that up with another stunning knockout victory over Max Holloway, proving his reign wasn’t just a fluke. He then quickly established himself as the lightweight champion at UFC 317. But behind all the excitement and title defenses, fans have been wondering what comes next for ‘El Matador’ and who will be his next challenger.
The undefeated UFC lightweight division is packed with talented contenders who all believe they deserve the next shot at Topuria’s belt. Names like Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett have all been mentioned as potential opponents. However, Ilia Topuria dropped a bombshell about UFC negotiations. He revealing that he and the promotion haven’t even started talking about his next fight yet. This admission comes as a surprise to many who assumed the UFC would be eager to book their exciting young champion as quickly as possible. Topuria’s casual approach to the situation shows just how comfortable he’s become in his role as champion.
During a recent interview, Topuria made some revealing comments about his future that caught the MMA world off guard. He admitted that negotiations with the UFC haven’t begun for his next title defense, despite holding one of the sport’s most prestigious belts. The champion explained that he’s not worried about which opponent gets chosen because the UFC usually makes those decisions anyway. His laid back attitude toward fight selection might seem strange to fans who are used to seeing champions actively campaign for specific matchups or bigger paydays.
“Honestly, I don’t really care which of the three I face. It’s just a matter of agreements with the UFC. We actually haven’t even started negotiations yet about my next fight. But as soon as they call me, they’re always the ones who pick the name. It doesn’t matter to me. Whoever they want.”
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Topuria’s statement suggested the UFC has already narrowed down his potential opponents to a shortlist. While he didn’t reveal which three fighters are being considered, it’s likely a mix of top contenders including Arman Tsarukyan, Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje who have earned their shots through recent victories. The champion’s willingness to fight anyone shows the confidence that has made him so dangerous inside the octagon. He seems genuinely unbothered by the politics and negotiations that often slow down title fights, preferring to let the UFC handle the business side while he focuses on staying ready.
(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)
I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!
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