Chomping at the bit for a spot on a UFC Spain card, Ilia Topuria has two specific matchups in mind.
Adding to his stunning run recent at UFC 317, Topuria won the vacant lightweight title during International Fight Week.
And in brutal fashion, Topuria would knock out Charles Oliveira with a savage first round combination, having won the featherweight crown at the beginning of last year.
Ready to take on all comers to his new championship, Topuria seems to have the pick of the bunch next. But ideally, he wants his return to happen at a debut event in Spain for the UFC — against two massive enemies.
Ilia Topuria offers to fight Islam Makhachev and Paddy Pimblett on the same night
Making his intentions to fight on home soil in Spain for some time now, following his lightweight title win, Topuria’s goal remains the same.
Welcoming fights with rival Pimblett as well as long-time foe, Makhachev — Topuria has now claimed he would fight both on the same night. If he were playing Octagon matchmaker.
“If it were up to me, next Saturday we’d have UFC Spain,” Ilia Topuria told assembled media at a press conference this week.
“Against (Islam) Makhachev in the first round, and against Paddy (Pimblett) in the second [round].”
With this admission, it seems Topuria has no interest in fighting the lightweight number one contender, however.
Arman Tsarukyan accuses Ilia Topuria of taking ‘easy fights’
Hoping to finally make good on a title fight in the Octagon, Tsarukyan was an eagle-eyed viewer of the UFC 317 headliner.
But missing out on a face off with Topuria — whom Tsarukyan blames Joe Rogan for, the Armenian has been vocal this week about the lightweight title picture.
Insisting he is not impressed by the Spaniard in recent outings, Tsarukyan accused Topuria of taking “easy fights”.
““I’m not impressed,” Arman Tsarukyan told Uncrowned of Ilia Topuria. “Maybe if I were in his situation, I would pick easy fights, too.
“If he’s going to see me or Paddy (Pimblett), Paddy is easier to fight. …Topuria, you know who the number one contender is.