There are several fighters jockeying for position to be named as Ilia Topuria’s opponent for his first title defence — but according to one of then, Arman Tsarukyan, it won’t be him or Justin Gaethje.
Armenian fighter Tsarukyan, who sports a 22-3 career record, was in line to fight former champion Islam Makhachev in January but withdrew from the contest on just one day’s notice, with Renato Moicano instead drafted in to fight (and lose) to the Russian. Not long afterwards, Makhachev formally vacated the title ahead of pursuing the UFC’s 170-pound title currently held by Jack Della; a move which ultimately led to Topuria claiming the vacant championship and opened the door to a new slate of title contenders.
Chief among those names have been Tsarukyan himself as well as the longtime contender Justin Gaethje — but as the Armenian says, there is one man who is likely ahead of both in the UFC’s estimation.
“No, Gaethje won’t fight Topuria,” Tsarukyan told Sport24, as noted by Championship Rounds.
“It’s my opinion. The UFC can do whatever they want. But I think it’s more likely to be Pimblett than Gaethje. I think he’ll defend his title, and if Islam wins the title, (Topuria will) move up to 170 and want to become a triple champ.”
What’s more, Tsarukyan predicts that Topuria will have little interest in fighting him regardless of the rankings.
“He won’t want to fight me because he can make more money fighting Islam, and he has the chance to become the first ever triple champion in history and earn big money,” Tsarukyan said of Topuria. “And even if he loses to Islam, he can say he moved to 170 and drop back down. He’ll have the excuse that he moved up two weight classes.”
Tsarukyan last fought in the cage at UFC 300 in April 2024 where he defeated Charles Oliveira by decision in what was his ninth win in ten fights. Gaethje was defeated by Max Holloway on the same card but rebounded with a decision win over Rafael Fiziev in March.
Pimblett, meanwhile, is a perfect 7-0 in the UFC (22-3 overall) and most recently competed in April where he scored a third-round TKO win over Michael Chandler.
