Overview
- Paddy Pimblett publicly named Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan as his preferred next opponents on Thursday and said he has no respect for Tsarukyan while framing Topuria as a long-running rival.
- Arman Tsarukyan is officially scheduled to fight Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event of UFC 331 on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles and has said a win should earn him a shot at champion Justin Gaethje.
- Ilia Topuria has not been booked since losing the lightweight title to Justin Gaethje in June 2026 and is recovering from heavy damage that makes a return before year-end unlikely.
- Tsarukyan has suggested Topuria take a tune-up fight against Michael Chandler while he heals, a proposal that underscores how fighter health and timing will shape next title contenders.
- Pimblett is seeking another fight before the end of 2026 and expects an announcement soon, meaning the next month of matchmaking and the outcome at UFC 331 will largely determine who challenges Gaethje next.