Overview
- Ilia Topuria remains the lightweight champion without a booked defense after winning the vacant title by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
- Ali Abdelaziz says Justin Gaethje will retire if the UFC gives Paddy Pimblett the title shot next, following Gaethje’s public ultimatum and Dana White’s earlier dismissal of it as “whacky.”
- Speculation persists that Topuria vs. Pimblett could headline the UFC’s first numbered event of 2026 under its new Paramount+ deal, though no bout has been announced.
- Pimblett claims he would “smash” Topuria and bring him “crashing back down,” while Islam Makhachev criticizes that rumored matchup as not a real challenge.
- Topuria posts a personal message on Instagram about taking the wrong people to the top, as unconfirmed reports of a split with his wife circulate based on social-media activity.