Overview
- Arman Tsarukyan, fresh off a second-round submission of Dan Hooker in Qatar, accused Ilia Topuria of seeking easier opponents and urged a January title defense.
- Topuria said he has had no approach from the UFC about his next bout and outlined options that include a summer move to welterweight or a catchweight 'pound-for-pound' fight with Islam Makhachev.
- The lightweight champion has not defended the belt since winning the vacant title against Charles Oliveira in June.
- Makhachev indicated he would need a very lucrative offer to cut back to 155 pounds, citing the health toll of weight cuts at this stage of his career.
- Tensions flared between Topuria and Tsarukyan in Doha, while unconfirmed chatter of a Topuria–Paddy Pimblett matchup persists and has drawn skepticism from Daniel Cormier.