UFC boss Dana White has claimed that Ilia Topuria is ready to fight, just months on from his devastating loss at UFC Freedom 250.

Earlier this summer, Ilia Topuria suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Justin Gaethje. He lost the UFC lightweight championship, he lost his undefeated record in mixed martial arts, and many believe he lost a lot of his aura.

RELATED: Justin Gaethje vs Ilia Topuria rematch could be ‘disaster' for UFC, says Eddie Alvarez

Now, though, Ilia Topuria could be shaping up for an immediate rematch against the champion, and even if that doesn't happen, there are a few other interesting ideas out there – including a grudge match against Paddy Pimblett.

In a recent interview, Dana White had the following to say about Ilia Topuria's future.

White's big claim about Ilia Topuria

“Topuria's ready to fight,†White said Wednesday on The Jim Rome Show. “We're ready for him.â€

“Both sound good to me (Gaethje rematch or Pimblett),†White said. “They're both great. We don't lose with either one of those fights. They're both great fights. I don't know. Listen, anything I say on this show, there's going to be 100 of these goofy Instagram guys like, ‘Dana White just announced Paddy Pimblett.' They're both great. We don't have anything set. … I don't really have the answer to that question (of who Topuria is fighting). Obviously the rematch with Gaethje is incredible. And a Paddy Pimblett fight is amazing. As bad as those two hate each other.â€

Quotes via MMA Junkie

Regardless of which fight comes to fruition, there's no denying that things are really starting to heat up at the top of the lightweight division – and Topuria is a huge part of the conversation.

Which fight would you rather see out of the two presented? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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MMA legend Eddie Alvarez has said that he believes Justin Gaethje vs Ilia Topuria 2 could turn out to be a disaster for the UFC.

Ever since Ilia Topuria's loss to Justin Gaethje, many have been wondering what's next for him. An immediate rematch seemed out of the question given the beating he took, but recent reports are suggesting that this is exactly the direction the UFC is heading in.

RELATED: Justin Gaethje doubts Arman Tsarukyan injured his back prior to nixed 2025 title shot: “He wasn't gonna make weightâ€

For Gaethje, this won't be too much of a concern given how the first fight played out, but it's certainly a risk when you consider that Topuria did have him hurt on a few occasions.

In a recent interview, Eddie Alvarez, a former foe of Justin Gaethje, had the following to say about the idea.

Alvarez's view on Justin Gaethje vs Ilia Topuria 2

“No (there shouldn't be a rematch),†Alvarez told MMA Junkie. “He beat the sh*t out of him. If someone beats the sh*t out of you, you don't get a rematch. It needs to be close. He beat the sh*t out of him. You don't get a rematch. You have to at least fight another guy. That was bad. I could see the UFC wanting to crown Topuria. They want that whole market. The guy's a big deal and he makes a lot of money and he can make a lot of money for the company. But it could be a disaster for the UFC. Giving him that other shot, Justin and Trevor (Wittman) kind of got his number, and he's not just going to go in and forget about what just happened.

“His brain is still going to suffer a form of PTSD where it's not going to be able to go. There's going to be a governor on certain things like, ‘Woah, wait a minute.' He's not going to be that same exact Ilia Topuria he was before Justin beat the sh*t out of him. I think he needs to take on a lesser opponent, build up that confidence again and come back and renew his faith in what he can do. Don't just go away. Even if he thinks, ‘I'm over that.' Your brain is still heavily on that especially considering the amount of damage.â€

Quotes via MMA Junkie

Do you agree with Eddie? Let us know in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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Regina
Tarin feels divine intervention led her to pursue a
professional mixed martial arts career.

Tarin (8-0) tried professional boxing and even considered a
pro-wrestling career before an opportunity in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship presented itself. She is
scheduled to fight J.J. Aldrich
(15-7) at
Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale,
Arizona, in her second Octagon appearance.

Regina Tarin explains how WWE tryouts and a three-day UFC offer
changed her career

Tarin was scheduled to fight on
Dana White's Contender Series last year. However, the bout was
canceled and she then got a call from the WWE soon after. Tarin
participated in their tryouts this past January, and while she was
almost set on a WWE career, she asked God if she had chosen the
right career path.

The undefeated Mexican then got a call from the UFC to make a debut
on three days' notice. That was the moment that Tarin knew she was
destined for MMA. “Kill Bill†defeated Ernesta
Kareckaite via unanimous decision in her UFC debut this past
February.

“I had a Contender Series fight that got canceled and WWE called
me,†Tarin told Full Send MMA. “I thought, ‘OK, maybe [MMA] is not
my sport; I can try WWE.' But spoke to God and said, ‘Please tell
me if I chose the correct sport.' Then UFC called me on three days'
notice. That's the exact moment when I thought MMA is for me.â€

Tarin has finished six of her eight pro wins so far. The
21-year-old is a -250 favorite going into her bout against Aldrich,
who is on a two-fight winning streak.

21 year old UFC fighter Regina
Tarin reveals the moment she chose to pursue a career in the
UFC over WWE

“I had a Contender Series fight that got canceled and WWE called
me. I had a conversation with God and asked if I chose the right
sport. UFC then called me on 3 days notice†pic.twitter.com/rauNeumB7O

— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma)
September 9, 2026