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€
Week 2 of the 10th Season of
Dana White's Contender Series exceeded expectations.
Historic night in DWCS history as UFC signs six new fighters,
including one in defeat
Roman
Puga (6-1) and Taner
Trembley (7-1) kicked off the card in a featherweight clash. It
was one of the most memorable fights in DWCS history, with both
fighters repeatedly rocking each other. While Puga walked away with
a unanimous decision victory, Trembley's toughness was on full
display.
Dana White was walking out to award Puga an
Ultimate Fighting Championship contract when Sean Shelby
insisted that Trembley be given one as well.
“It takes two to make a great fight,†White said while awarding
both Puga and Trembley UFC contracts. “And this fight was
absolutely incredible. And because it was such a great fight, I got
to see so much well-roundedness and toughness from both guys. As
soon as this fight was over, I said, ‘Send both these guys to the
hospital right now.' So Puga — it's a no-brainer; I'm absolutely
bringing him in. And as I'm walking out here, Sean Shelby just
grabbed me and said, ‘I want Taner too.' So, both of these guys get
a contract with the UFC.â€
Alik
Lorenz (8-2) made his second Contender Series appearance in a
light heavyweight tilt against Mahamed Aly
(5-2). Lorenz floored Aly with an overhand right before finishing
him with hammer-fists. While White thought it was an early
stoppage, he was impressed enough with the +320 underdog Lorenz's
massive upset win.
“I did not agree with the stoppage; I thought the stoppage was a
bit early,†White said. “But Lorenz was teeing off on him with big
shots. And by the time the fight started, he was a 4-1 dog. So,
when you come in as a 4-1 dog and you do what you did tonight,
Lorenz, get over here, congratulations.â€
Cristian
Perez (15-2) took on Logan
Paxton (10-2) in a lightweight matchup. Perez looked flawless
as he picked apart Paxton en route to a second-round stoppage win.
White not only gave Perez a contract but also an offer to compete
at
Noche UFC 4 in September.
“Cristian Perez, incredible fight,†White said. “Again, two very
tough, durable guys and Christian Perez could not have looked any
better than he did tonight. And I hope he wants to fight at UFC
Noche.â€
Trent
Miller (10-3) also made his sophomore Contender Series
appearance in a middleweight matchup against Douglas
Henrique Rodrigues (7-2). A +270 underdog, Miller put Rodrigues
to sleep with a Von Flue choke in the second round to earn a UFC
contract.
“Trent Miller, unfortunately, I'm a very brutally honest guy,â€
White said. “Rodriguez was by far the better fighter in my opinion
and he was a 5-1 favorite. But you said, ‘F*ck that sh*t.' Not only
did you win the first round, but you came in and beat him in the
second round by Von Flue choke. Get over here, you're in the
UFC.â€
Another Contender Series veteran earned the final contract of the
night in the main event. Kaik Brito
(20-6) returned in a welterweight matchup against Namo Fazil
(10-2), three years after his first failed DWCS bid in 2023. While
Fazil was riding a lot of momentum after his recent win at
Most Valuable Promotions' inaugural MMA event, Brito put the
Iraqi to sleep with a right hand in the third round to earn a UFC
contract.
“And what could you not say about the main event? That was
incredible,†White said. “And the fact that Fazil has so many fans
in here going crazy. Brito, I love your style, the way you fight…
Came out with a flying knee in the third round, tried to finish the
fight, and finished it in spectacular fashion. I cannot wait to see
you fight in the UFC.â€
DWCS has proved to be one of the most reliable sources of scouting
future UFC stars. White revealed that fighters from DWCS have made
a combined $225.3 million in the UFC. There are also currently 420
active DWCS graduates on the UFC roster.
🚨 Dana White says fighters who earned UFC
contracts through the Contender Series have made a combined $225.3
MILLION pic.twitter.com/BT8HXjC0Lj
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
August 19, 2026
The
Professional Fighters League will return to Chicago in
October.
Liz
Carmouche and Jena Bishop
will meet in a rematch for the inaugural PFL women's flyweight
title in the main event at
PFL Chicago on Oct. 16 at Wintrust Arena. This is the first new
title to be introduced since the PFL's merger with
Most Valuable Promotions.
PFL CEO previews promotion's upcoming trip to Chicago
Carmouche (26-8) stopped Bishop (11-3) in the third round of their
first bout last August. Bishop has rebounded from that loss with
first-round stoppage wins over Borena
Tsertsvadze and Ariane
Lipski da Silva. Meanwhile, Carmouche has since scored a
submission win over Viviane
Araujo this past June, to extend her winning streak to
four.
Cris Cyborg's
final MMA bout headlines PFL Tampa: Tune in on Saturday, Aug. 22 at
10 p.m. ET on ESPN.
“Chicago has become an important market for PFL, and we’re excited
to return with another championship event for our fans,†PFL CEO
John Martin said in a press release. “The inaugural PFL Women’s
Flyweight World Championship is another milestone for our
organization and a testament to the incredible talent competing
across our roster. Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop have already
proven they’re among the very best in the world, and there’s no
better stage than Chicago to crown the first champion in this
division.â€
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship's fourth edition of Noche UFC
reportedly has a new main event.
Jean
Silva was originally scheduled to face Yair
Rodriguez in the main event at
Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 12 at the Desert Diamond Arena in
Glendale, Arizona. However, per a new report by Guilherme Cruz, Rodriguez has pulled out for unknown
reasons and will now be replaced by Jose
Delgado.
Jose Delgado replaces Yair Rodriguez in Jean Silva's Noche UFC
4 main event
Delgado (12-2) is 4-1 in the UFC since making his Octagon debut in
2024. Coming off decision wins over Andre Fili
and Austin
Bashi, he will face his biggest step up in competition by far
against Silva (17-3).
Meanwhile, Silva is coming off a decision win over Arnold
Allen, rebounding from his lone UFC loss to Diego
Lopes. “Lord†had finished all five of his previous UFC
opponents before losing to Lopes. The Brazilian reacted to the
change of opponent on X.
“Hunter took care of everything, we have a new target,†Silva
posted on X. “New opponent, same date, same goal.â€
Rodriguez (20-5) is now facing backlash for yet another withdrawal.
“El Pantera†hasn't fought since a win over Patricio
Freire last April, which saw him rebound from consecutive
stoppage losses to Alexander
Volkanovski and Brian
Ortega.
🚨 BREAKING: Jose
Delgado is stepping in to fight Jean Silva
in the main event of #NocheUFC
on September 12
MMA2 days ago
MMA2 days ago
MMA2 days ago
Boxing2 days ago
MMA2 days ago
MMA2 days ago
MMA2 days ago
MMA2 days ago