This Fighter Is Ready to Shake Up the Lightweight Division
Ilia Topuria has put himself in rare company as one of the only undefeated fighters in UFC history to win titles in two different weight classes. He spectacularly achieved this milestone, knocking out former Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira in the first round. Many wondered how the former Featherweight Champion would fare in a new division, but he looked more comfortable than ever, showcasing blistering hand speed and perhaps even more knockout power than he displayed at Featherweight. Now, the question is: who will Topuria face next, and how does he stack up against them?
Paddy Pimblett
A matchup the UFC would undoubtedly love to make, Topuria and Paddy Pimblett have traded insults and callouts for the past couple of years. Paddy, who remains undefeated in the UFC, boasts an impressive grappling arsenal with a variety of submissions in his toolkit. While he possesses a respectable striking game with solid kickboxing and long reach, it remains a developing area for him. Realistically, Pimblett would be wise to take another fight before challenging for Lightweight gold, as he’s yet to face elite competition in the division. Without that experience, a bout against a dangerous, well-rounded finisher like Topuria could prove disastrous for the rising star from Liverpool.
Arman Tsarukyan
Arman Tsarukyan is another name firmly in the title conversation. This past weekend at UFC 317, Tsarukyan showed his dedication to a championship opportunity by successfully making weight as the official backup fighter for the main event. Currently ranked as the number one contender, and with wins over top names like Charles Oliveira and Mateusz Gamrot, Tsarukyan possesses a well-rounded MMA game featuring high-level wrestling and sharp striking. However, his decision to withdraw from a scheduled main event at UFC 311 could complicate his path to a title shot. Still, based on merit alone, Tsarukyan’s resume is worthy of a chance at UFC gold.
Conclusion
Ilia Topuria has officially arrived in the Lightweight Division, and he might look even better than he did at Featherweight. He has stated that cutting weight is now easier for him, and he plans to stay at 155 pounds for the foreseeable future. Whoever steps into the Octagon with him next will have to contend with his lightning-fast hands and frightening knockout power. His skills might currently feel unmatched by anyone else in the UFC’s Lightweight rankings.
