Why Ilia Topuria Doesn’t Deserve an Immediate Title Shot on His Return

It’s been several months since Ilia Topuria stepped into the Octagon at the White House lawn in his first title defense against the veteran Justin Gaethje. It’s been a few months since that pillar-to-post beating ‘The Highlight’ inflicted on ‘El Matador’ over the course of four rounds.

Recently, ‘El Matador’ sat down with Adam Catterall for his first English-language interview since UFC Freedom 250. ‘El Matador’ gave Justin Gaethje his flowers, saying the American ‘did an amazing job’, even though he clearly believed he was the better fighter. Topuria also said that he’s eyeing April, May, and June 2027 as the possible months for his return.

Who Should Ilia Topuria Fight in His Return?

It wasn’t too long ago that the former two-weight world champion made his first appearance since the UFC White House event, where he went after Justin Gaethje on X, accusing him of cheating, while also taking shots at Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

Given his rise to the top, beating legends and former champions like Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, and the manner in which he finished them, there’s one fundamental question on everyone’s minds: Does Ilia Topuria deserve an immediate title shot in his return?

Several factors determine Topuria’s claim to the title again. First, Justin Gaethje is unsure of his next move. Will he fight Arman Tsarukyan, who is a fairly logical choice at this point for title contention?

Then there is the Scouser Paddy Pimblett, who has a storied rivalry with Ilia Topuria. There is no love lost between the two, and ‘The Baddy’ even faced off with ‘El Matador ’ after the UFC 317 main event, where Topuria flatlined Charles Oliveira in the second round.

Does Ilia Topuria Deserve an Immediate Title Shot?

Gaethje himself is unsure of what his next move is, whether he’ll defend his title in 2027 or retire, considering he will turn 37 on November 14th. But if a title defense is in order, Arman Tsarukyan is clearly the next contender.

Topuria was granted an immediate title shot upon moving up from featherweight and skipped the line of contenders as a result. However, he couldn’t successfully defend his lightweight title. While one could make the argument that he doesn’t deserve an immediate title shot on his return, he clearly is in the mix for title contention again.

Perhaps a No. 1 contender fight for the title against Paddy Pimblett could be his best move, which could then put him directly in line for the title, should he win.