Overview
- Ilia Topuria said he expects to fight between April and June and targeted the winner of Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for a lightweight title unification.
- Islam Makhachev reaffirmed he will not return to 155 pounds and said any matchup with Topuria must happen at welterweight.
- Gaethje and Pimblett are officially slated to meet for the interim lightweight belt at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas.
- Reporting from ESPN-linked sources indicates the UFC plans to keep Topuria as champion and may allow the interim belt to be defended if his comeback is delayed.
- Merab Dvalishvili publicly backed Topuria’s chances against Makhachev, while Pimblett called for Topuria to be stripped if he cannot return by June or July.