Overview

• Ilia Topuria has declared he would vacate the lightweight belt rather than face No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan in his first title defense.
• UFC president Dana White criticized Joe Rogan’s unsanctioned Octagon face-off with Paddy Pimblett at UFC 317, inadvertently boosting Pimblett’s case for the next shot.
• Justin Gaethje has issued a retirement ultimatum if he does not secure the next title challenge after his unanimous decision win over Rafael Fiziev.
• Arman Tsarukyan is demanding a title eliminator bout with Gaethje, arguing that only such a fight justifies his claim to a championship opportunity.
• A UFC insider has claimed that Topuria’s clash with Tsarukyan is tentatively booked for December at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.