Overview

• UFC CEO Dana White said allowing Pimblett into the octagon after Topuria’s first-round KO of Charles Oliveira was a mistake that has intensified calls for an official showdown.
• Topuria’s victory at UFC 317 made him the UFC’s tenth two-division champion after he relinquished featherweight gold to move up and capture the lightweight strap.
• Paddy Pimblett vowed to extend the fight and “disfigure” Topuria in their long-running feud, casting their bout as one of the division’s most personal matchups.
• Should the UFC opt against the grudge rematch, other leading contenders such as Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje are in position to challenge the new lightweight champion.
• Islam Makhachev has shifted focus to a welterweight title bout against Jack Della Maddalena before any return to 155 pounds is considered.