The UFC lightweight division was shaken to its core at UFC 317, where Ilia Topuria delivered on his promise with a thunderous first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira to grow to be the brand new undisputed lightweight champion. The aftermath has been just as seismic, with Justin Gaethje issuing a retirement ultimatum if he doesn’t get the subsequent title shot, prompting a daring response from UFC president Dana White. With contenders like Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett also circling, the query of who deserves the subsequent crack at Topuria is more contentious than ever.
Gaethje’s Ultimatum and Dana White’s Response
Justin Gaethje, long considered some of the exciting fighters in MMA, has made it clear: it’s title shot or bust. In accordance with his manager Ali Abdelaziz, Gaethje is ready to retire if he isn’t granted the subsequent opportunity to fight for the lightweight belt. Abdelaziz stated, “If I’m not fighting for the title, I’ll just retire. Justin is a person of strong principles, and he conveyed this to me just yesterday”.
Dana White, never one to draw back from controversy, responded to Gaethje’s ultimatum with characteristic bluntness, telling the previous interim champ that if he desires to retire, he should achieve this. White’s stance underscores the UFC’s long-held position: no fighter, no matter their tenure or fan appeal, is larger than the promotion itself.
White says that if Justin Gaethje is excited about retiring, he should probably retire.
He says that Gaethje has been an exciting, fun fighter to have within the UFC and that his ultimatum to fight for a title or retire is “wacky”
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 29, 2025
Ilia Topuria Is The Latest King at 155
Ilia Topuria’s rise has been meteoric. After conquering the featherweight division, Topuria relinquished his 145-pound title and set his sights on lightweight gold. At UFC 317, he faced former champion Charles Oliveira, a person with probably the most finishes and submissions in UFC history. Despite Oliveira’s experience and size advantage, Topuria’s speed and power proved decisive. A crisp right hand followed by a devastating left hook ended Oliveira’s night in the primary round, making Topuria a two-division champion and lengthening his undefeated record to 17-0.
Topuria’s post-fight celebration was short-lived, as he immediately called out Paddy Pimblett, reigniting a rivalry that dates back to a heated hotel altercation in 2022. Pimblett, now ranked eighth after an announcement win over Michael Chandler, entered the octagon for a tense face-off with the brand new champion.
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Who Should Get the Next Title Shot?
Justin Gaethje: The Veteran’s Claim
Gaethje’s case for a title shot is robust. He has won three of his last 4 fights, including a highlight-reel knockout of Dustin Poirier and a recent decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. He has also stepped up for the UFC on short notice multiple times, earning a status as an organization man and perennial motion fighter. Nonetheless, he was omitted for the vacant title fight at UFC 317, which has fueled his frustration and ultimatum.
Arman Tsarukyan: The Dangerous Dark Horse
Arman Tsarukyan, who served because the official backup for UFC 317, is one other top contender. He boasts a four-fight winning streak (with a controversial loss to Mateusz Gamrot in the combination) and recently scored a split decision win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. Tsarukyan’s only recent setback was pulling out of a title eliminator on account of injury, which could have cost him some favor with UFC brass. Despite this, his skill set and youth make him a legitimate threat to anyone within the division.
Paddy Pimblett: The Fight Everyone Wants To See
Paddy Pimblett has quickly grow to be considered one of the UFC’s most marketable stars. With an ideal 7-0 UFC record and a recent TKO over Michael Chandler, Pimblett’s momentum is undeniable. Topuria himself has said Pimblett is “one fight away” from a title shot, suggesting a win over one other top contender could secure him the chance. Still, together with his current rating at eighth, many purists argue he needs another signature win before difficult for gold.
The lightweight division is stacked, and the UFC faces a classic dilemma: reward the veteran (Gaethje), the surging contender (Tsarukyan), or the box office draw (Pimblett).
- Gaethje brings name value, a fan-friendly style, and a legitimate claim based on recent performances.
- Tsarukyan is maybe probably the most deserving on merit, but lacks the mainstream appeal of his rivals.
- Pimblett offers the largest potential payday and a ready-made rivalry with Topuria, but may not have the résumé to justify a title shot just yet.
Dana White’s hardline response to Justin Gaethje’s ultimatum signals that no fighter is indispensable. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria’s reign as lightweight champion begins with a number of hungry contenders vying for his or her shot. Whether the UFC opts for meritocracy, star power, or a mix of each, the subsequent title fight guarantees fireworks.