Matchmaker Monday: Who does Ilia Topuria fight next?
TIt seems that Ilia Topuria is the new UFC superstar.
On the shoulders of Conor McGregor, the Georgian native knocked out Charles Oliveira and claimed his second title. The knockout has made waves around social media and now fans are rabid to see “El Matador” fight again.
What are the options? Who can we see Ilia Topuria put away next? Let’s look at three options.
The set up match: Paddy Pimblett
Stepping into the cage after Topuria’s magical win, Paddy Pimblett seems to be what everyone wants to see next for Ilia Topuria. The two have a tepid history of confrontations and UFC 317 was no different. Leading into the fight, we even mentioned that Ilia Topuria needed an adversary and that Pimblett could fill that role.
The problem: Paddy Pimblett is ranked eighth in the UFC’s rankings. In addition to that, there’s other names that deserve it more, as we will discuss. Dustin Poirier, Dan Hooker and Mateusz Gamrot are three names above Pimblett who would need another win, a high ranking win, to face Topuria next.
The real contender: Ilia Topuria vs. Arman Tsarukyan
There is a true number one contender. Arman Tsarukyan was to fight for a title once upon a time. Tsarukyan had defeated Charles Oliveira and earned his match against then-champion Islam Makhachev. Then, the day before UFC 311, Tsarukyan pulls out and Renato Moicano steps in on short notice.
Dana White is furious with Tsarukyan and seemingly wants him to fight again. But if we are going based off of merit, it’s Tsarukyan, who is on a 9-1 run and has a close loss to Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan deserves it and is surely Topuria’s toughest challenge at the new weight he presides over.
The violent option: Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje is a brutal fighter. Gaethje has twice fought for the title and is a heavy hitting action fighter. His record of bonuses prove just that. In his last four, Goethe has beat Rafael Fizzier twice and Dustin Poitier with a highlight knockout. His only blemish was that round five knockout delivered by Max Holloway at UFC 300.
Ilia Topuria would assuredly love a crack at Justin Gaethje’s heavy hitting, brawling style. If we are looking at the top of the rankings, he deserves the title shot more than Paddy Pimblett and less than Arman Tsarukyan. Gaethje will likely jump Oliveira at number two.
The division will likely sort out as follows: Tsarukyan needs a fight per the bosses, Justin Gaethje, Topuria has beat Oliveira and fourth ranked Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier is retiring at UFC 318, then no-man’s land with Dan Hooker, Mateusz Gamrot and Paddy Pimblett.
