Latest news with #JustinGaethje
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC lightweight rankings: Ilia Topuria takes No. 1 spot after destructive title fight debut
The UFC lightweight rankings showcase some of the very best talents in MMA. The division has long been the deepest and most talent-rich in the sport's history. Several of its top competitors can also be found in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. With that in mind, here are the official Sportsnaut rankings for the top 10 lightweights in the best cage fighting promotion in all the land. Advertisement 1. Ilia Topuria (17-0) Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Ilia Topuria will go down as one of the great featherweights of all time. But instead of building on his 145-pound resume, 'El Matador' made the move up to lightweight in search of history. Well, he achieved that in June by becoming just the 10th fighter to win gold in two divisions. Crushing former 155-pound champ Charles Oliveria and adding him to his hitlist of legends. 2. Arman Tsarukyan (22-3) Credit: USA Today Sports Arman Tsarukyan has quietly been a top-10 lightweight for quite some time. During his run in the UFC, he has won many fights, and his only losses in the Octagon have come to the current champion, Islam Makhachev, and fellow ranked star Mateusz Gamrot. However, he has overcome those setbacks, and his impressive victory over Charles Oliveira got him the title opportunity he has worked hard for. Unfortunately, a debilitating back injury knocked him out of the bout a day before a scheduled opportunity at UFC 311. Advertisement 3. Justin Gaethje (26-5) Credit: USA Today Sports Justin Gaethje is one of the best lightweight fighters of his generation by earning a legion of fans for being one of the most durable and violent athletes in division history. The American has been in some of the best bouts in division history, including wins and losses. One of his most brutal defeats came at UFC 300 to Max Holloway. However, after taking a year off, he triumphantly returned with a big win against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. It helps him hold on to his top-five spot in our UFC lightweight rankings. Related: Justin Gaethje next fight – When will 'The Highlight' return to the cage? 4. Dustin Poirier (30-9) Credit: USA Today Sports Dustin Poirier is one of the most beloved lightweights of all time. He has taken part in some of the best matches in the division's history and won quite a few of them. However, the biggest mark against a stellar resume is coming up short in title fights. And despite his best efforts at UC 302, he fell to division king Islam Makhachev. Nevertheless, he remains one of the best 155-pounders in the world. Advertisement Related: Dustin Poirier next fight – Get details on 'Diamond's' retirement fight 5. Charles Oliveira (35-11) Credit: USA Today Sports Charles Oliveria owns several UFC records and will go down as one of the greatest Brazilian MMA fighters of all time. There is a lot to love about his fight style, and his resume is stacked with big wins. But age catches up with everyone, and it has affected 'Do Bronx.' He entered his UFC 317 clash with former featherweight Ilia Topuria as a sizable underdog. Well, those odds proved to be right as he was crushed by the one-time 145-pound champ in less than a round. Oliveira remains an elite fighter in the division, but he probably will never again fight for gold. Advertisement 6. Beniel Dariush (23-6-1) Credit: USA Today Sports Beneil Dariush turned into one of the best lightweights in the world during an impressive eight-fight win streak. However, when he faced the elites of the division, he came up short. He got a chance at another top-10 fighter at UFC 317. He needed a win badly, and 'Benny' was able to gut one out against Renato Moicano. He has set himself up for a big fight later this year. 7. Dan Hooker (24-12) Credit: USA Today Sports After moving back and forth between featherweight and lightweight, Aussie Dan Hooker has found a niche at 155 pounds. He also lands a spot in our UFC lightweight rankings after hard-fought wins over ranked opponents Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. While they weren't pretty, he's fairly earned a spot on our top 10. Advertisement Credit: USA Today Sports Former KSW two-division champion Mateusz Gamrot has proven he is a top-10-level fighter by scoring some big wins inside the Octagon. Despite his losses, he has always roared back with big wins and did some with key victories over Jalin Turner, Rafael Fiziev, and Rafael dos Anjos. However, his upset loss to Dan Hooker at UFC 305 is why he falls to the back of our latest UFC lightweight rankings. 9. Renato Moicano (20-7-1) Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Over the last few years, Renato Moicano has evolved into one of the lightweight division's most entertaining fighters. However, his victories over Benoit Saint-Denis and Jalin Turner proved he was a top-10 talent as well. Being ranked means facing elite talent, and the Brazilian has gotten that in his last two bouts. And he has lost both. However, defeats to the former champ and another top 10 fighter keep him at his current spot in our UFC lightweight rankings. Advertisement 10. Paddy Pimblett (23-3) Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Paddy Pimblett has his doubter, and if he likely still will after UFC 314, but the case against the Englishman is getting harder to make. Winning his first six straight in the Octagon put him on the map. But dominantly defeating Michael Chandler sent a message that 'The Baddy' is legit and could be fighting for lightweight gold in 2026. Related: Paddy Pimblett next fight – Who will 'The Baddy' face next? Related Headlines
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Michael Bisping's dream UFC White House card includes returns of Conor McGregor, Jon Jones
Hall of Famer Michael Bisping is thrilled with the idea of the UFC holding an event at the White House. The fantasy event proposed by U.S. president Donald Trump during a recent speech would take place during next year's Independence Day celebration. Should the event manage to clear the nightmare of logistical hurdles and actually come to fruition, there would need to be a stacked fight card, and Bisping has just the lineup for such an over-the-top event. In a video posted to his YouTube channel, Bisping built his fantasy card for what he would simply call "UFC White House" or "UFC America" instead of a numbered pay-per-view. His fight card includes two title fights, along with returns of major UFC stars Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. Check out Bisping's dream card below along with some of his quotes about the matchups. Main event: Tom Aspinall vs. Jon Jones – for heavyweight title "If there's one fight, and there's one location that Jon Jones would come out of retirement for, we just might get to see the greatest heavyweight fight of all time, if that is, Tom only just scrapes by Ciryl Gane. I think Jones would come out of retirement, and that would be the main event at the White House. Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall. England vs. U.S.A. all over again." Co-main event: Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler "Conor McGregor's no stranger to the White House. He's already been out there. He said he's going to run to be the president of Ireland. He spoke to the world's media at the White House, so he's very familiar with this place – and of course, he would love to insert himself into this legendary, historic event. Of course, taking on Michael Chandler, who was just destroyed by Paddy Pimblett." Valentina Shevchenko vs. Erin Blanchfield – for women's flyweight title "As I've said, we've got to have a female fight on there. Valentina Shevchenko, "The Bullet," representing Russia. Or do we have Weili Zhang? We could have a Chinese vs. U.S.A affair at the White House. I'm just having a bit of fun here. If you get offended easily, then get over yourself and get a grip, OK? ... Valentina Shevchenko taking on Erin Blanchfield." Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland 2 Justin Gaethje vs. anyone on the roster "We got to have Justin Gaethje on there. Justin Gaethje vs. anybody at the White House. He ain't gonna retire if that's the case, if that's what's offered to him. So, Justin Gaethje opens up the main card against whoever the hell he wants." Sean O'Malley vs. Cory Sandhagen "Sean O'Malley, he could be on there, maybe vs. Cory Sandhagen. That could be the first fight of the night on the main card of the pay-per-view. Sean O'Malley taking on Cory Sandhagen – an all-American affair – the Civil War."
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paddy Pimblett Sets the Record Straight on UFC 319
Paddy Pimblett Sets the Record Straight on UFC 319 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The buzz coming out of UFC 317 hasn't slowed down. After Ilia Topuria's dominant performance in the main event, speculation over who might challenge him next has only intensified. Among the most talked-about names is Paddy Pimblett—who fans and fighters alike have mentioned as a potential next opponent. But in the midst of swirling rumors, Pimblett has now stepped forward to address whether he'll be part of the UFC 319 card. Advertisement Paddy Pimblett, 30, the outspoken British lightweight, has kept his name in headlines lately—whether it's by calling for a shot at Topuria or reacting to the latest rumor linking him to Justin Gaethje. Paddy PimblettGetty Images That buzz came directly from UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, who in a video captured by Ahmed Amwell and shared by Championship Rounds, claimed: 'It's gonna be a big card. The co-main event is Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje.' That hypothetical matchup instantly caught fire online. But Pimblett caught wind of the clip and quickly shut things down, posting to X: 'Yous are mad if you think I'm fighting in August.' With UFC 319 set for August, that rumor appears to be off the table—at least for now. While fight announcements can change quickly, it looks like Pimblett vs. Gaethje won't be happening at UFC 319. Until Ilia Topuria's next opponent is officially named, both Pimblett and Gaethje may remain in limbo, with fans left guessing what's truly next for each fighter. With both men linked to the champ, all eyes are on the UFC's next move. Advertisement Related: UFC Faces Pressure as Ilia Topuria's Next Opponent Narrowed to 3 Possibilities Related: Jake Paul Calls Out Dana White Over Fighter's Health Emergency: 'Where's the Help?' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC Faces Pressure as Ilia Topuria's Next Opponent Narrowed to 3 Possibilities
UFC Faces Pressure as Ilia Topuria's Next Opponent Narrowed to 3 Possibilities originally appeared on Athlon Sports. 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.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Paddy Pimblett breaks silence on ‘leaked' next fight as Dana White reveals if he'll make Topuria UFC grudge match next
PADDY PIMBLETT has broken his silence on the supposed leaking of his next fight. The Brit submission specialist hasn't fought since his demolition job of fellow fan favourite Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in Miami. 5 5 5 But middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis seemingly revealed the Liverpudlian would be back in action on the undercard of his UFC 319 title defence against Khamzat Chimaev on August 16. DDP told Ahmed Amwell during a recent trip to Dubai: "It's gonna be a big card. "The co-main event is Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje." Du Plessis' comments spread like wildfire and quickly came to the attention of Pimblett, who didn't mince his words on the matter. The former Cage Warriors featherweight champion said: "Yous are mad if you think I'm fighting in August." The pair, who have beef dating back to 2021, took part in a heated face-off last weekend following Topuria's brutal first-round KO of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Security had to separate the duo after , who revelled in the moment after he left the octagon. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 5 5 Their impromptu face-off has set the table for a grudge match over four years in the making. But UFC supremo Dana White has seemingly already shot down the prospect of the two stars clashing next. He said: "I don't know who the hell let him in there. That should've never happened. "Let's start there. I was already back in my room, or that would've never happened." He added: "(Van) is the No. 1 contender, and I just said the winner of that fight will get a title shot, so obviously the fans wanted it, too. "My thing with Topuria is his wife and kid are in the octagon. "That's not the fight. It's just, yeah. It shouldn't happen. "That's not really what we do. I don't really give a sh*t if it's fun to watch or not. That shouldn't have happened. "Plus, he wins a second title in a higher division. It was a bad call by whoever let him in there."
