Overview

• Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to become UFC lightweight champion and has since called out the winner of Canelo vs. Crawford for a Conor McGregor–style boxing crossover.
• Topuria has suggested he might vacate the belt rather than face Arman Tsarukyan immediately, signaling a preference for marquee matchups over strict ranking order.
• #2 contender Arman Tsarukyan has ratcheted up pressure for a title shot by trading barbs with Paddy Pimblett, predicting a first-round finish of Topuria and offering to fight Dan Hooker if he’s passed over.
• UFC boss Dana White and matchmakers have said Tsarukyan must earn another victory before challenging for the belt, citing his earlier withdrawal from a scheduled title fight.
• Experts including Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira have weighed in, naming Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett as Topuria’s biggest threats and giving Topuria a slight edge over Tsarukyan in a potential matchup.