Despite his infamous face-off with Paddy Pimblett off the back of UFC 317, Ilia Topuria has now switched plans yet again.
Turning in his second title win less than a week ago, Spanish finisher Topuria seems to have the lightweight division as his proverbial oyster.
Whether it’s a grudge fight with Arman Tsarukyan or a fan-friendly shootout with former gold holder, Justin Gaethje, Topuria has a fleet of charging challengers awaiting him.
But seemingly gung-ho on a bitter clash with the above-mentioned Pimblett, Topuria seems to be changing his mind on foes as each day goes by.
And this week, the former featherweight champion has laid out his ideal scenario — in a bid to make even more history.
Ilia Topuria plots third championship fight if Islam Makhachev wins welterweight crown
Another distinct rival of Topuria is now-former lightweight kingpin, Makhachev — who vacated his crown at UFC 317 to make way for a divisional move.
And despite being preoccupied with a showdown against Jack Della Maddalena, Makhachev cannot escape the thoughts of Topuria, it seems.
Remaining steadfast on a grudge fight with the Russian, Topuria insists that if Makhachev emerges victorious at welterweight, he’ll challenge him immediately.
“I would love to see Islam (Makhachev) getting the title,” Ilia Topuria told TMZ Sports this week. “And the UFC letting me go up to 170 [pounds] and getting the third belt.”
But despite hesitations from Dana White on booking him against Pimblett next, it seems the Liverpool native has received a boost in his bid to challenge Topuria in his first Octagon title outing.
Paddy Pimblett rules out UFC 319 return this summer
More than happy to face off with Topuria after UFC 317, despite reservations from Tsarukyan, Pimblett goaded the Spaniard during their tense exchange in the Octagon.
And vowing to become the first to beat Topuria if they finally meet, Pimblett has denied his imminent return this summer already.
Hoping to fight the new lightweight kingpin next, Pimblett insists he will not fight at UFC 319 in August in a title eliminator against Justin Gaethje.
“Yous (sic) are mad if you think I’m fighting in August,” Paddy Pimblett posted on X amid links to a fight with Justin Gaethje in Chicago.
Tirelessly calling out Makhachev this year, Topuria seems to be all-in on a historic showdown for the welterweight crown still — in a bid to further improve on his stunning résumé.