A messy situation is brewing within the UFC lightweight division amid Ilia Topuria’s hiatus from the game.
Only a matter of months after winning the UFC lightweight title and continuing his incredible run in the game, Ilia Topuria announced that he can be taking a while away from his duties because the champion to cope with pressing family matters.
Within the wake of that, Dana White announced that within the UFC 324 most important event, Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will clash for an interim title.
Every time an interim title is introduced, confusion arises, nevertheless, this can be a situation where it couldn’t be avoided. But White’s recent words regarding the winner fighting Topuria doesn’t bode well.
And it is due to that, that I feel one seemingly forgotten lightweight contender could possibly be the large beneficiary of the saga unfolding within the division.
Who comes out on top at UFC 324: Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett?
Just one man can secure the interim lightweight title on January 24.
Max Holloway could slide into undisputed lightweight title fight during saga
Ultimately, the UFC boss said that the winner of the UFC 324 most important event ‘could’ find yourself fighting Topuria, despite the entire idea of an interim title being that they fight the undisputed champion after they are ready.
‘El Matador’ has constantly made it clear that he wants to maneuver as much as 170lbs to tackle Islam Makhachev for a 3rd belt, which is a ridiculous idea in itself.
And since of White’s recent comments and Topuria taking a variety of time away, I see a world through which the Spaniard is somewhat forced to offer up his title again.
But who will probably be the most important beneficiary of that potential situation? The winner of Pimblett vs Gaethje? Perhaps. But I feel former featherweight and current BMF champion Max Holloway will probably be the key winner of the situation.
‘Blessed’ Holloway is ready to defend his ‘BMF’ title against Charles Oliveira, just over a month after Pimblett and Gaethje throw down.
Holloway is one of the vital popular fighters in the game, and his only recent loss has come against ‘El Matador’. With a win over ‘Do Bronx’, which I feel will occur, I feel he could earn himself one other shot on the lightweight title.
Unfortunately, we’re in an era where popularity far outweighs merit, and Arman Tsarukyan seemingly has work to do before he’s given one other lightweight title fight.
I see a world through which we see an undisputed title fight between Paddy ‘The Baddy’ and the pride of Hawaii, in what could possibly be his final undisputed title fight of his profession.
Repeat or revenge?
Tell us how Max Holloway vs Charles Oliveira 2 plays out at UFC 326.
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Will Arman Tsarukyan ever fight for the lightweight title?
Despite my predictions, it’s undeniable that ‘Ahalkalakets’ deserves the subsequent lightweight title shot, and in actual fact, he needs to be one half of the interim title fight.
And although up until this point he has remained level-headed regarding his treatment from the UFC, things could easily turn sour, at the clicking of a finger.
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