Israel Adesanya has advised Ilia Topuria against pursuing an immediate rematch with Justin Gaethje following his defeat at UFC White House, arguing that the former two-division champion would benefit from securing another victory before challenging for the lightweight title again.

Topuria recently announced that he has been cleared to compete after suffering a stoppage defeat to Gaethje in June. The Georgian-Spaniard entered the contest as a heavy favourite but was beaten over four rounds before being unable to answer the bell for the fifth.

“After a beating like that, because again, I’ve been on the receiving end of one of them, you have to realise, OK, how can I come back from this?” said Adesanya on the Precision podcast, as noted by MMA Fighting. “I’d advise him not to take it with Justin, because I think getting another win before cracking the title shot again would be best for him.”

Adesanya compared Topuria’s situation to his own rivalry with Alex Pereira. After losing his UFC middleweight title to Pereira at UFC 281, Adesanya accepted an immediate rematch and knocked out the Brazilian at UFC 287, having previously suffered two defeats to Pereira in kickboxing. “I went back straight away because I already had an immediate rematch cause or whatever,” Adesanya said. “I don’t know if Ilia has that.”

Instead, Adesanya believes Arman Tsarukyan should receive the next opportunity against Gaethje. Tsarukyan strengthened his claim with a Performance of the Night-winning knockout of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, extending his run to 11 victories from his past 12 fights. “I think Arman’s next,” Adesanya said. “He and Justin Gaethje has to be the next fight, who else?”

Topuria had won UFC titles at featherweight and lightweight before facing Gaethje, recording knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. Adesanya suggested Topuria could return before the end of the year, while he believes Gaethje and Tsarukyan could meet later this year or in January.