Recent challenges await Ilia Topuria within the UFC lightweight division.
It was a fast night within the office for Spain’s undefeated superstar, Ilia Topuria, as he captured the vacant lightweight title from Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
Topuria only needed a few minutes to knock out Oliveira with power shots, getting his hands on a second belt after relinquishing the featherweight title earlier this 12 months.
Now 17-0, many are left to wonder who will find a way to stop the seemingly unbeatable Topuria, who hasn’t really shown weaknesses on the bottom or on the feet, as of late.
Former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was long considered Topuria’s hardest test at 155 lbs, nonetheless, that fight is now out of the image with Makhachev moving as much as the welterweight division where he has his own aspirations of becoming a two-division world champion.
Out of the most effective lightweights on the planet, Makhachev’s longtime coach has singled out one as a title threat for Topuria.
Javier Mendez says Arman Tsarukyan might give Ilia Topuria ‘probably the most problems’
A legendary coach of each Makhachev and the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez thinks #1 contender Arman Tsarukyan would give the brand new champion Topuria his hardest fight.
Tsarukyan is 9-1 within the UFC since losing to Makhachev in his promotional debut. The 28-year-old is coming off back-to-back wins over ex-champ Oliveira and top contender Beneil Dariush.
Tsarukyan apparently has a certain look in his eyes, ‘hungry’ for the UFC title after having to withdraw from his rematch against Makhachev at UFC 311 as a consequence of a back injury the day before.
“I see Justin Gaethje potentially giving [Topuria] some problems,” Mendez began off on Submission Radio.
“Tsarukyan could be the one which, for my part, might give him probably the most problems because Arman’s not gonna stand with them,” Mendez continued.
“Arman’s gonna make it a grappling war.
“So it’s gonna be a war of attrition. Can Ilia survive the continual ground attack that Arman’s gonna placed on him? That will be the test. Can he do this? I don’t know…
“Perhaps he can,” Mendez said of Topuria.
“Look what he did to Charles. Charles got here in for the takedown, he freaking switched it on him in midair. That was very impressive.
Ilia Topuria sent Arman Tsarukyan a message at UFC 317
While Topuria and UFC boss Dana White have made it clear Tsarukyan must win again for title contention, the #1 contender was referenced in Topuria’s post-fight interview.
Like Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett, Tsarukyan sat cageside for Topuria vs. Oliveira.
Before he entertained a face-off with Pimblett, Topuria took shots at Tsarukyan after putting Oliveira away at UFC 317.
“There may be a man, relating to deliver, his back hurts,” Topuria said of Tsarukyan’s withdrawal from UFC 311.
“Whoever’s ready for me, I’m here…
“Let’s f—— fight. In the event you’re ready, I’m here,” Topuria said on the microphone.