Ilia Topuria: "The biggest fight that can be done right now in the UFC is Ilia against anyone"

Ilia Topuria has returned to the public eye in style. After his painful loss at the UFC Casa Blanca against Justin Gaethje, there are many doubts about who his next opponent will be. The rematch with Gaethje, a superfight with Paddy Pimblett, a confrontation against Arman Tsarukyan... 'El Matador' doesn't care about that, since in an interview with 'ABC' he stated that everyone wants to fight him because he continues to be the one who generates the most within the UFC.

Gaethje still has doubts about his retirement, while Tsarukyan and Pimblett also want the title, but Ilia is clear. "The only thing I know is that everyone wants to fight me, because it is where they are going to win the most, both financially and at the level of recognition. If Arman Tsarukyan gets the fight with me it will be his biggest fight, the same with Paddy Pimblett, the same with Justin Gaethje. Any fight that is the biggest in the UFC has my name and surname. They know that I change their lives economically, the bad part for them is that I will also change their lives physically," he stated.

Of course, if it depended on him, he is clear about what his next fight would be. "I would choose the rematch against Justin Gaethje. There is a story that cannot end like that for me, but at the same time I don't want to force anything. The biggest fight that can be done right now in the UFC is Ilia against anyone," he revealed.

For now, Ilia has confirmed that starting in January he will be able to spar with contact again after his double orbital fracture, his nose and foot fracture. Therefore, it is expected to return by the second quarter of 2027, depending on your feelings. In addition, he has confirmed that he will sit down to talk with the UFC in the coming weeks, so there will soon be some news regarding who his next opponent may be.

Topuria has also had time to talk about Arman Tsarukyan, who a few weeks ago confirmed that the UFC had promised him a title fight in his next fight. Ilia does not believe that is true, and has also opened the door to confront him. "Tsarukyan? If it's not Justin or Paddy, it has to be him. They have made promises to him to fight for the title, although I don't think they care much, they will do whatever they want with him. In fact, Arman is the typical profile with which the UFC can do whatever it wants," he acknowledged.

Although Topuria praised the Armenian's last performance against Mauricio Ruffy, he also made it clear what would happen if they faced each other. "I make Arman panic. Like Volkanovski did with Evloev... These types of fighters are so used to throwing you to the ground and dominating all the time that their confidence grows through domination, but when they don't dominate, they panic. In addition, they have a fight that is not accompanied by good ground. Arman stands out only for takedowns and seeking dominance, but when you stop the takedowns, they block and give up."