Ilia Topuria gives verdict on facing Arman Tsarukyan or Paddy Pimblett in potential title defence

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Ilia Topuria shares his thoughts on potential title challengers in the lightweight division

This Saturday, Topuria will try to add a second belt when he faces former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira for the vacant title at UFC 317.

However, the Georgian-Spanish star has already dismissed the idea of facing Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett next, insisting both fighters need to rack up one more win before they’re ready for a shot at him.

Ilia Topuria says Arman Tsarukyan needs to fight again for UFC title

Arman Tsarukyan was supposed to fight for the title earlier this year, but a back injury cost him the opportunity. Now, even though he is the No. 1 in the lightweight division, he may have to wait for another shot if Topuria beats Oliveira.

Despite his impressive recent form – with 9 wins in his last 10 fights, including victories over Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush – Tsarukyan doesn’t deserve an immediate chance, in the Spaniard’s view.

“I wouldn’t give him the chance immediately,” Topuria said in an interview with New York Post Sports.

“He needs to win one more fight,” Topuria added. “He had the opportunity to fight for the title. He pulled out. I don’t know for what reasons, but he pulled out.”

“So he needs to win his shot again against, I don’t know — there’s Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, many guys in the division that also deserve the shot.”

• READ MORE: Ilia Topuria makes bold prediction on how and when he’ll beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 317

Ilia Topuria won’t call out rival Paddy Pimblett after UFC 317

Paddy Pimblett, No. 8 in the rankings, has also entered the conversation after a stunning knockout win over Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April. The two fighters have a rocky history, including a physical run-in during UFC 282 fight week.

While giving Pimblett a title shot would make for a blockbuster event, the Spaniard isn’t considering it just yet.

“No, that’s not gonna happen,” Topuria said on The Ariel Helwani Show.

“He’s one fight away for the title shot,” Topuria noted. “So he needs that [win] because it’s gonna be even better for our fight.”

“If he gets one more win, we’re gonna have, I think, the biggest fight in the UFC right now at the moment.”

Topuria went even further to back Pimblett’s chances in a proposed fight with Justin Gaethje, saying: “Him vs. Justin Gaethje because I think he’s gonna beat him easily.”