Already lining up his first defense of the lightweight crown after UFC 317, Ilia Topuria has been targeted by the division’s top dog.
Achieving his second title win inside just five years over the weekend, Topuria made good on his aspirations to lift the lightweight title.
Following through on a lofty pre-fight prediction, Topuria made light work of Charles Oliveira, a veteran fan-favourite.
Stopping the Brazilian inside the opening round, Topuria added the lightweight title to spoils attained a division lower at featherweight.
Watching his finish in Las Vegas were a whole host of willing challengers next. And a certain top contender believes Topuria has nightmares about their potential pairing.
Arman Tsarukyan brands Ilia Topuria ‘scared’ to fight him
Choosing to face-off with his historic rival, Paddy Pimblett, in the Octagon following his win, Topuria appears to have set up his first title defense already.
And while veteran challenger, Justin Gaethje, is sure to be unhappy, it seems Armenian contender Tsarukyan has a certain bee in his bonnet, too.
“Running from the real contender only proves one thing – you’re scared,” Tsaryukyan posted on X, hitting out at Topuria.
“Deep down, you know exactly what happens if you ever step in there with me @Topuriailia,” Tsarukyan continued.
Reigning as the number one contender at lightweight, Tsarukyan has yet to fight since UFC 300 last year.
And as far as promotional boss, Dana White is concerned, he’s not sold on Tsarukyan challenging for gold following his UFC 311 mishap.
Slated to rematch Islam Makhachev, a back injury ruled Tsarukyan out of his title charge. And despite serving as official back-up to the UFC 317 headliner, he’s been urged to get active by White.
Dana White offers Arman Tsarukyan route to title challenge
Neither sold on a showdown between Topuria and Pimblett next, White remained candid in his assessment of Tsarukyan’s calls for his own championship fight in his return.
Successfully making championship weight this time around for UFC 317, White claimed Tsarukyan was on the right path to a charge — albeit, likely not there just yet.
“The guy (Tsarukyan) had the opportunity to fight for a title and didn’t make weight,” White said after UFC 317. “You couldn’t f— up anything worse.
“He made weight, so it’s definitely a step in the right direction,” White added.
Earning his number one rank last year, Tsarukyan would narrowly defeat common-foe, Charles Oliveira in a split decision back-and-forth.