UFC Faces Pressure as Ilia Topuria's Next Opponent Narrowed to 3 Possibilities
UFC 317 delivered a jaw-dropping moment when Ilia Topuria landed a thunderous right hook that shut the lights out on Charles Oliveira. The knockout not only stunned the T-Mobile Arena but also shifted the landscape of the UFC's lightweight division. Now a double champion, Topuria's meteoric rise has ignited serious debate over who deserves to challenge him next—and the UFC may be feeling the heat.
Advertisement
With the lightweight belt now around Topuria's waist, a chain reaction is inevitable. The promotion is under pressure to satisfy top contenders, media expectations, and fan demand.
Dana WhiteGettyImages
At the center of it all is Arman Tsarukyan. The 28-year-old Armenian is the division's No. 1 contender and served as backup for UFC 317's main event. With a grinding grappling style and a recent win over Oliveira at UFC 300, logic says Tsarukyan should be next. One fan even put it bluntly: 'Anyone who doesn't say Arman is literally insane.' But as we've learned—nothing is guaranteed.
Arman TsarukyanGetty Images
Enter Justin Gaethje. The 36-year-old former interim champ, currently ranked No. 3, isn't staying quiet. He recently bounced back in his rematch with Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, securing a key victory that reminded fans why he's still a major threat in the division.
Advertisement
That said, not everyone agrees—one fan dismissed the idea entirely, saying: 'Gaethje shouldn't even be considered.' His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently claimed that Gaethje might retire if he doesn't get the next shot, citing disrespect after being passed over in favor of Oliveira.
Justin GaethjeGetty Images
Then there's the wildcard: Paddy Pimblett. The 30-year-old, ranked No. 8 and fresh off a high-profile victory over Michael Chandler, the undefeated British star brings massive attention and has history with Topuria.
Paddy PimblettGetty Images
The two have exchanged heated words in the past, and Topuria has expressed interest in making the fight happen. 'He's a hypocrite… I hate him. … If I could choose a fight, I would fight him because I hate him.' Quotes from both fighters have circulated online, adding fuel to the fire and hype to the potential.
Advertisement
Many believe that Pimblett is the bigger money fight for the UFC, with mainstream appeal and massive fan engagement. One fan captured the fan-first sentiment perfectly: 'Don't really care about 'deserves'. Put the Baddy in there!'
Ilia TopuriaGetty Images
UFC President Dana White and his team have their hands completely full. With three compelling candidates and rising tension, the next move is critical. But one thing is certain—whatever direction they go, Ilia Topuria's next fight is guaranteed to be must-see TV.
Related: Jake Paul Calls Out Dana White Over Fighter's Health Emergency: 'Where's the Help?'
Related: Major Update on Ben Askren's Health Brings New Hope
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How to watch Fluminense vs Chelsea live: Stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
Fluminense and Chelsea meet at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Tuesday with a place in the FIFA Club World Cup final on the line. A place in the final and at least $30 million, and $40 million if they win the competition. Advertisement MORE — Prize money list for Club World Cup Brazilian giants Fluminense have been one of the stories of the competition so far, with veteran 40-year-old defender Thiago Silva rolling back the years to lead them to the final four. Fluminense will be the underdogs against Chelsea but they were very impressive against Inter Milan in the last 16 and got the job done against Al Hilal in the quarters. They've kept three shutouts in their five games so far at the Club World Cup and have looked particularly dangerous on the counter. MORE — Club World Cup schedule, bracket Chelsea are used to facing Brazilian opponents by this point, as they lost to Flamengo in the group stage and beat Palmeiras in the quarterfinals. Enzo Maresca's young side are looking really good in attack and after adding Joao Pedro they are even more stacked. There are so many options for Maresca to choose from, especially going forward, but he's got the balance right in the knockout rounds so far and better finishing would have made life a lot more comfortable for themselves. Advertisement How to watch Fluminense vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday (July 8) Venue: MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey TV Channel/Streaming: Stream every game live on DAZN, for free Fluminense team news, focus Thiago Silva anchors the defense and keeps everything ticking over for his boyhood club Fluminense. It will be a special day for Silva, who played a key role in Chelsea's Champions League win which qualified them for this Club World Cup. Fluminense play a 3-5-2 system and look to get the ball wide, whip in crosses and are very good on the break. Advertisement Chelsea team news, focus Moises Caicedo is back available after suspension which is a massive boost given his form and importance in the holding midfield role. Andrey Santos came in and did really well in midfield in the last game, but Caicedo will start. In attack Joao Pedro had a big impact after coming off the bench but it's still too early for him to start. Liam Delap will likely start again, while Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto will start underneath them and Nkunku and Madueke will scrap it out for the other attacking midfield spot. Fluminense vs Chelsea prediction This is going to be a fascinating tactical battle. Chelsea will have plenty of the ball, as they usually do, and Fluminense will be fine with that as they look to pick them off on the break. This has the feeling of an extra time game. Fluminense 1-2 Chelsea.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Baker Mayfield Graduates To 'Pro QB' In Backhanded Compliment to Buccaneers Star
Baker Mayfield Graduates To 'Pro QB' In Backhanded Compliment to Buccaneers Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is going to be a fascinating watch in 2025, with some waiting to see if he'll eventually revert back into the mistake-riddled quarterback he was earlier in his career, or if he'll continue his career resurgence. Advertisement After two good seasons that have seen Baker catapult himself into the top-10 conversation at quarterback, he is now at a point in his career where the expectations are perhaps the highest they've ever been - a Super Bowl run. The fact that this is now a well-known opinion for Baker means he's doing something right, and for Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame, he got an NFC evaluator to give his thoughts on Mayfield's growth. 'I think Mayfield is proof of the concept of coaching matters, systems matter, team build matters," the NFC evaluator said. "But more than anything, if you can process quickly and get the ball out on time from the pocket, you don't have to be 6-foot-5 to play in this league. He has become a professional quarterback as opposed to a college kid just running plays.' Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is pressured by San Francisco 49ers defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium.© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images That could come across as a backhanded compliment .... but in the end, it is quite the endorsement for Baker, and in truth, it is more than warranted. Advertisement With another new coordinator in Josh Grizzard, who was the passing game coordinator under Liam Coen last year, Mayfield will again have a different voice in his ear, but he'll handle it. He has weapons that are the envy of the league, a running game seen as one of the best in football, and that offensive line, which is sneaky good too. Everything feels like it has come together at the right time. Baker, the professional quarterback? We like the sound of that. Related: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Placed on Impressive List Related: 'He's Still Got That Hunger!' Buccaneers' Yaya Diaby Praises Newcomer Haason Reddick This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bucs Rival Alvin Kamara Reveals Weakness in Hilarious Viral Video
Bucs Rival Alvin Kamara Reveals Weakness in Hilarious Viral Video originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Alvin Kamara is a do-it-all talent for the New Orleans Saints ... and you don't have to tell that twice to his rivals with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Advertisement In his career, the five-time Pro Bowler and 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year has played against the Bucs 14 times ... and he has 11 TDs. But based on his Fourth of July Weekend appearance at Wrigley Field in Chicago, where ahead of the second game of a three-game series pitting the Chicago Cubs against St. Louis Cardinals, we don't think the Bucs should be too scared of the idea of Kamara ever completing a gimmicky halfback pass. Why do we say that? Check out Alvin's pitch ... a hilariously embarrassing bit of work for a pro athlete - let alone one this gifted. It was so poor that the competitor Kamara remained on the mound and gave it a second try. Advertisement Pitch No. 2 wasn't very impressive, either ... but at least it got there so they could start the game. First-year Saints head coach Kellen Moore should be made aware: Alvin does actually have one pass attempt in his illustrious eight-year career. (It was a 2019 completion for 13 yards.) But ask him to do this with a football and we fear disaster might strike. "The first one, I just let that (expletive) loose," Kamara later said with a smile. Last year, the electric Kamara 14 games for the Saints, ending the campaign with 228 rush attempts for 950 yards (4.2 yards per attempt) and six touchdowns. He added 68 receptions for 543 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Advertisement Kamara's got big numbers - and the lowly Saints will need 'em again in 2025 - as he's the NFL's only active player with at least 6,500 rushing yards and 4,500 receiving yards. ... and he's on the exclusive list as one of the 10 players in NFL history to reach those numbers. So he can run. And he can catch. And he can score. But he can't ... you know ... throw. Related: Baker Mayfield Graduates To 'Pro QB' In Backhanded Compliment to Buccaneers Star This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
