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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

MVP fires back at Heather Hardys $10M lawsuit over Amanda Serrano fight

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MVP fires back at Heather Hardy's $10M lawsuit over Amanda Serrano fight

Most Valuable Promotions has responded to a lawsuit filed by
former world champion Heather
Hardy over her 2023 rematch with Amanda
Serrano.

Hardy is seeking $10 million in damages from MVP, alleging in her
complaint that the promotion moved forward with the bout despite
concerns about the risks involved. Hardy alleges that she suffered
permanent neurological damage from the fight, which took place in
August 2023 on the Jake
Paul-Nate Diaz
card.

Most Valuable Promotions cites Hardy’s medical clearance and
commission oversight in response to the lawsuit

According to Hardy's complaint, the fight presented an
“extraordinary and foreseeable risk of serious neurological harm.â€
She also alleges that the bout contributed to lasting issues,
including traumatic brain injury, memory loss and double
vision.

MVP disputed the allegations in a statement issued in response to
the lawsuit, emphasizing Hardy's medical clearance and the
commission's oversight of the contest.

“MVP has great respect for Heather Hardy. We recognize the
difficulty of her circumstances and extend our sincere sympathy and
hope that she receives the care and support she deserves,†MVP
responded (via ESPN). “Heather's participation on our Aug. 5,
2023, card was arranged through her promoter, Lou DiBella, who
contracted for the fight, and Heather publicly expressed her
gratitude for the opportunity both before and after the fight.â€

“MVP followed applicable protocols for the fight, Heather was
medically cleared to compete by the athletic commission overseeing
the event, and the bout proceeded under the commission's authority
and supervision in accordance with their standard medical and
safety requirements,†the statement added. “MVP remains committed
to fighter safety and supporting the athletes who compete in our
events in full compliance with commission standards.â€

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Dustin Poirier wonders if Kayla Harrison can submit Amanda Nunes: "It's going to come down to the takedowns"

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Dustin Poirier wonders if Kayla Harrison can submit Amanda Nunes: "It's going to come down to the takedowns"

Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes is a highly-anticipated UFC title fight, and Dustin Poirier wonders if the bout will end in a submission for the champion.

Harrison and Nunes were set to collide in early 2026, but the women's bantamweight titleholder was forced to undergo neck surgery. The procedure was a success, and Harrison is now prepping to meet her former teammate in the UFC 334 co-main event on Nov. 14.

Poirier has worked with both Harrison and Nunes under the American Top Team banner. During a recent edition of “Deep Waters,†the retired UFC lightweight questioned if Harrison can find a way to submit Nunes inside Madison Square Garden in New York City (via MMAJunkie).

“It's going to come down to the takedowns,†Poirier said. “Can Kayla use her judo and her wrestling to get Amanda down? If she can, I think she's going to have a lot of success.

“You know, we've seen Amanda submitted before. Kayla's big, strong, good top position, knows how to grapple, but the length and power Amanda has, you can't prepare for in the female division. You can't get girls in the gym who can punch like that.â€

Harrison last competed back in June 2025, while Nunes hasn't fought since 2023 after initially retiring from pro MMA competition. Harrison is the betting favorite over a month ahead of UFC 334, but Nunes will look to prove she's still the gold standard of the women's 135-pound division.

Going into the event, Harrison is riding a four-fight winning streak and has just one blemish on her pro MMA record. Nunes retired having gone 14-1 in her last 15 outings, which includes wins in the now defunct women's featherweight division.

Do you think Kayla Harrison can pull off a submission over Amanda Nunes at UFC 334? Join in on the conversation in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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UFC 334 loses top middleweight prospect, Cesar Almeida steps in

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UFC 334 loses top middleweight prospect, Cesar Almeida steps in

UFC 334 has lost undefeated middleweight Baisangur Susurkaev, but a replacement has already been found.

MMA Fighting's Damon Martin and Mike Heck confirmed with sources with knowledge of the change that Cesar Almeida (7-3) has agreed to step in for Susurkaev to face Donte Johnson (9-0) at the Nov. 14 event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Bout contracts are still to be officially signed.

Susurkaev and Johnson were originally set to meet in a battle of top prospects, with Susurkaev also sporting a perfect record at 12-0. The 25-year-old Susurkaev hit the ground running after earning a UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series in 2025, winning by knockout or submission in his first three outings for the promotion. The reason for Susurkaev's withdrawal from UFC 334 is not known.

Johnson was also signed off of DWCS in 2025 and has seen similar success, scoring consecutive UFC wins over Eric McConico, Cody Brundage, and Sedriques Dumas. He now faces Almeida, an experienced kickboxer who has seen mixed results in the UFC. Following a spectacular first-round knockout over Abdul Razak Alhassan in his UFC debut, Almeida has lost back-to-back fights, most recently losing by KO to Damian Pinas at UFC 329.

See the updated UFC 334 lineup below.

Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit

Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes

Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui

Uros Medic vs. Kevin Holland

Bilal Hasan vs. Luis Gurule

Drew Dober vs. Chris Duncan

Stephen Thompson vs. Charles Radtke

Donte Johnson vs. Cesar Almeida

Jim Miller vs. Terrance McKinney

Bia Mesquita vs. Macy Chiasson

Adrian Yanez vs. Juan Diaz

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