Ilia Topuria faces ultimatum from rival ahead of potential UFC title clash

Daily Mirror

a day ago

The Georgian-Spanish fighter won the lightweight title in June but has since faced calls to give up the title after brutally dismissing a top contender
Ilia Topuria has been savagely told by Arman Tsarukyan to "give up the belt" after the lightweight champion snubbed the top contender.
'El Matador' stepped up to lightweight earlier this year and was instantly granted a crack at the vacant title after Islam Makhachev chose to relinquish the strap. The 28-year-old faced Charles Oliveira in the main event at UFC 317 back in June.
The Georgian-Spanish fighter would go on to become a two-division champion after he flattened Oliveira inside the opening round. The drama didn't end there as Topuria's rival Paddy Pimblett was ringside for the event and instantly charged into the octagon. The pair then traded verbal blows before Topuria then pushed the Liverpudlian.
It appeared like a bout between the two bitter enemies would be next, but UFC legend Chael Sonnen claimed that the promotion has different plans - and that Tsarukyan would be next for the champion, reports All Out Fighting. Nevertheless, Sonnen's remarks came just days after Topuria dismissed Tsarukyan and insists he would surrender the title if compelled to fight the Armenian. "If I'm the world champion, I'm never going to give him a chance," Topuria said on the Nelk Boys YouTube channel.
"I will be like, 'Listen if that's the case, take my belt. I don't do it.'" The Armenian has been left furious by the champion's remarks and has since demanded the former featherweight king to surrender the title. During a press conference in Los Angeles, Tsarukyan responded to Topuria's recent comments.
"If he feels he's going to lose that fight, it's better to give up the belt and go up, or wait for what happens with me," he retorted. "He knows I'm a big problem for him, and I'm going to get his title. He knows that, and he wants to get an easy fight with Paddy, Gaethje, or somebody [else]. Just make money and don't defend. But with me? It's going to be hard for him.
"I already told them I'm ready in September, October, I train twice a day and I'm healthy now," Tsarukyan added. "But if they told me October with somebody [else], and then December with Ilia, sure! I'll fight [Dan Hooker], but my goal is a title fight, because I know I deserve it and I'm the number one contender."
UFC legend Michael Bisping didn't hold back in his critique of lightweight champion Topuria, following the latter's recent comments. Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Bisping questioned: "Is Ilia Topuria pulling a Jon Jones? Because Arman Tsarukyan is a real threat to anybody, he is a tremendous fighter."
He went on to commend Tsarukyan's abilities, stating: "I know a lot of people discredit him for pulling out at the last minute, and rightly so, that's not a good look. However, he's a really, really good fighter, simple as that. He can do it all. He's got the striking, the wrestling, the cardio, the strength. He's very young, he's in his prime. The man's an absolute monster. Ilia Topuria said if the UFC made him fight Arman Tsarukyan, he would vacate the belt."
Bisping continued: "He wants nothing to do with Arman Tsarukyan. So now Arman Tsarukyan's out there, he's making videos of little ducks. He's doing a Tom Aspinall, taking a duck wherever he went with him. Remember that whole saga with Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall? But now we've got a new version. Now it's Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan. Arman Tsarukyan's even making a bet, offering him $500,000, half a million bucks if he beats him. Doing whatever he can to get the fight."
When is Ilia Topuria's next fight?
With Makhachev expected to compete at welterweight before potentially dropping back down to lightweight, it seems highly probable that Topuria will have one more bout before facing the Dagestani fighter. Supporters could witness 'El Matador' enter the octagon once more this year - with December being a realistic timeframe.
Regarding who's next in line, that remains uncertain. Justin Gaethje appears to be a potential opponent and Topuria's manager Lukasz Orzel recently told Kanał Sportowy that the former interim champion is the "closest" to securing the bout. "Third belt is a matter of time. For now, we've given our word to the UFC that we will stay at lightweight," Orzel said. "We're waiting to see who comes up as the natural contender. We'd like to fight again this year. Gaethje is the closest, time will tell if it's him."