Ilia Topuria isn't just knocking out legends in the Octagon, he's giving the sport's best champions trouble in the training room. 'El Matador' is is reaching unmatched levels of success in the promotion after flatlining Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.

For Topuria, Pimblett makes the most sense for his first title defense. He dismissed Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) as a potential next opponent – despite Gaethje threatening to retire if he doesn't get his shot.

On Saturday (28 June), Topuria knocked Charles Oliveira out cold in round one, winning the vacant lightweight title. That triumph made the Spanish-Georgian a two-weight UFC champion, after he held the featherweight belt from February 2024 until February 2025.