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Arman Tsarukyan picks surprising name for Ilia Topuria’s next opponent

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Arman Tsarukyan picks surprising name for Ilia Topuria’s next opponent

Arman Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria's return fight will be against a well-known veteran in the lightweight division, but maybe one anyone is expecting.

In an interview on the UFC on Paramount+ YouTube channel, Tsarukyan was asked where Topuria fights in the 155-pound title picture after losing his championship and suffering his first defeat to Justin Gaethje in a shocking upset at UFC White House this past June. Topuria suffered facial injuries in the hard-fought contest and his recovery timetable is unclear, but Tsarukyan thinks Michael Chandler is a logical tune-up for Topuria before throwing Topuria back into the thick of contender race.

“He's still recovering and probably next for him a fight with Michael Chandler and then come back and fight for the title,†Tsarukyan said, adding, “Who else? After this fight, he needs someone easy, an easy fight, and then after that fight come and fight again.â€

Prior to his loss to Gaethje, Topuria was on one of the best runs in MMA history. He compiled a 17-0 record, capped by consecutive championship fight knockouts over Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski, the latter two at featherweight. However, the lightweight division continues to move on with Topuria on the shelf, with Tsarukyan set to take on Mauricio Ruffy in a pivotal contender contest in the five-round co-main event at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles.

“Already No. 1 contender,†Tsarukyan said when asked if the stakes are high for him on Sept. 19.

Tsarukyan and Topuria have been at odds for years now, though a bout is yet to materialize despite the two now residing in the same weight class. A grudge match for the title would draw plenty of interest, and could be one option for Tsarukyan if he completes his mission of becoming the champion.

“There's a lot of top guys,†Tsarukyan said. “Me, Oliveira still. Paddy Pimblett. Topuria. Max Holloway is tough as well. But when I beat Ruffy, I'm going to fight for the title and then I can pick who I want to fight.â€

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MMA

Morning Report: Dana White shoots down $10M Misfits Boxing rumor, tells Eddie Hearn to meet in gym ‘and we can f*cking do it’

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Morning Report: Dana White shoots down $10M Misfits Boxing rumor, tells Eddie Hearn to meet in gym ‘and we can f*cking do it’

UFC 334 goes down this Saturday with two pretty damn intriguing title fights.

In the main event, undisputed* heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane goes for his first defense against, yes, one of the most talked-about fighters of 2026, the undefeated Josh Hokit. Folks, there’s a well-above zero chance that Hokit closes out the year as the UFC’s heavyweight king. Wowza.

Then you have the bantamweight matchup of destiny between champion Kayla Harrison and the GOAT herself Amanda Nunes. Where these two legends and the division go after UFC 334 is anybody’s guess, but this fight had to happen and it’s finally going down in Madison Square Garden.

So what’s your level of excitement as we kick off fight week?

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Andre Galvao says rules changed after he accepted Rousimar Palhares rematch

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Andre Galvao says rules changed after he accepted Rousimar Palhares rematch
Andre
Galvao is embracing a daunting challenge as he prepares to face
Rousimar
“Toquinho†Palhares at ACBJJ 23 on Nov. 13 in Rio de
Janeiro.

The Brazilian grappler will face Palhares in a rematch of their
2011 ADCC final, this time under rules that permit strikes to the
body.

Andre Galvao prepares for Rousimar Palhares at ACBJJ 23 under
rules allowing body strikes

Galvao, 44, told Sherdog that a renewed desire to compete and an
attractive offer from the promotion prompted his return. He
initially expected the rematch to follow the rules of their
previous encounter, but the format changed as plans developed.

“First they got my yes, then came the surprises,†Galvao said.
“Later on they told me it would be up to 100kg (220 pounds); then
that it would be nine minutes of fighting instead of seven; and
finally they informed me that punches and kicks would be
allowed.â€

The prospect of facing Palhares under those conditions concerned
some of Galvao's friends and students. However, the Atos Jiu-Jitsu
leader believes his MMA experience has prepared him for the
challenge.

“Several friends came to me and said, ‘You're crazy, coming back
right away against Toquinho and with strikes allowed?'†Galvao
recalled. “The fact is that since I built my career more in
Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling, the youngsters forget that I've already
had seven MMA fights, and during that period I was training with
champions like Anderson, Rafael Feijão and Ronaldo Jacare, so
taking punches isn't exactly something that scares me that
much.â€

Galvao nevertheless recognizes the threat Palhares poses.

“Toquinho is a monster, he's incredibly strong. I joke that I'm
prepared to face a monster on Friday the 13th,†Galvao said. “That
fight of ours in the ADCC final in London in 2011 is still
considered one of the best in history. I'm sure we're going to put
on another great fight and make history again.â€

Galvao won their first meeting 9-4 in the under-88-kilogram ADCC
final in Nottingham, England. Their rematch will headline ACBJJ 23
at Farmasi Arena.

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Johnny Walker wanted to take it slow at heavyweight, then UFC called

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Johnny Walker wanted to take it slow at heavyweight, then UFC called
Johnny
Walker's heavyweight run is going faster than he planned.

Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweights Sean Brady
and Gabriel
Bonfim were originally scheduled to headline
UFC Vegas 124 on Nov. 7 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. However,
Brady pulled out because of a severe staph infection and the
promotion didn't book a replacement to keep Bonfim on the card.
Walker then accepted the headlining matchup against Waldo
Cortes-Acosta on nine days' notice.

What a victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta could mean for Johnny
Walker

Walker (23-10, 1 NC) made his heavyweight debut against Mick Parkin
in October, scoring a bonus-winning first-round knockout. The
former light heavyweight recently revealed he originally wanted to
take things slow in his new weight class.

“I was thinking to take small steps and go slow in the division,â€
Walker said at media day ahead of UFC Vegas 124. “See how I feel at
heavyweight. That was my plan. God had different plans than me. God
has better plans for me.â€

Cortes-Acosta (17-4) was riding a three-fight win streak before
losing to Alexander
Volkov and Curtis
Blaydes this year. A win over “Salsa Boy†will launch Walker
into the heavyweight Top 10 in just his second appearance in the
division.

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