LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 28: (L-R) Ilia Topuria of Spain faces off against Paddy Pimblett in the UFC lightweight championship bout during the UFC 317 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 28, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Much like the welterweight division, the UFC’s lightweight division features several elite contenders all vying for a shot at the title. Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett are the two options being considered for Ilia Topuria’s first defense of his lightweight title in 2026. At UFC Qatar, Arman Tsarukyan reminded everyone that he is the division’s rightful number one contender by submitting Dan Hooker in the second round of last week’s main event. Nonetheless, the UFC does not book these fights based on merit; they book them based on what the biggest, most interesting fight is, which, without a doubt, is Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett. It appears to be a two-person race between Tsarukyan and Pimblett for the title of Topuria’s next opponent. This fight is heavily rumored to be the main event of the UFC’s first event with their television partner, Paramount. Here is a breakdown of the state of the UFC lightweight title picture:

Arman Tsarukyan is the Rightful Number One Contender.

Arman Tsarukyan is the rightful number one contender in the UFC’s lightweight division. That has been the case for about a year and a half, when he defeated Charles Oliviera at UFC 300 in a title eliminator fight. Unfortunately, Arman Tsarukyan has gotten in his own way and has prevented himself from fighting for the title. First, he punches a fan at UFC 300 during his walkout. The Nevada State Athletic Commission fines him $25,000 and suspends him for nine months. The suspension could have been reduced to six months if he had produced an anti-bullying PSA; he chose not to. Then, at UFC 311, he pulled out of his scheduled title fight with Islam Makhachev one day before the event due to a back injury sustained while cutting weight. Tsarukyan has proved to be unreliable, and he has needed to prove to the UFC that he can be.

At UFC Qatar, he reminded everyone how good he is. Based on skill, style, and resume, Arman Tsarukyan is the most formidable challenge for Ilia Topuria at lightweight. If Topuria is headlining the UFC’s first event of the year, rumored to be on January 24th in Las Vegas, that gives Arman Tsarukyan a short two-month turnaround, something he was unwilling to do following UFC 300. This time, his tune has changed.

“I didn’t get any injuries. I can fly to the US and train there, two months is enough to get ready.” Arman Tsarukyan told reporters at the UFC Qatar Press Conference.

The UFC may still consider Arman Tsarukyan unreliable. He did headbutt Dan Hooker at the weigh-in for UFC Qatar and almost put another main event in jeopardy. Historically, they despise incidents like that. With that in mind, maybe they force Arman Tsarukyan to keep waiting a little longer.

Paddy Pimblett is the Perfect Headliner for UFC’s Paramount Debut

The question surrounding Ilia Topuria’s next opponent is not who deserves the most. That answer seems to be universally Arman Tsarukyan. But again, the UFC is in the business of making money, and to make money, they need to sell tickets. To sell tickets, they need to book exciting fights, and the most exciting fight they can make in the lightweight division is Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett. Fair or not, Arman Tsarukyan is not the global star Paddy Pimblett is. The 30-year-old Englishman is one of the most recognizable fighters in MMA. Also, the longstanding feud between Topuria and Pimblett only makes this fight more interesting. Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett is more than a lightweight title fight; it is a grudge match.

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Topuria and Pimblett have been destined to fight since they met in 2022, and the perfect time for the UFC to book that fight is right now. Simply put, Paddy Pimblett generates the most fan interest. We have seen the UFC book fights with more exciting matchups than give the title shot to the fighter who deserves it based on merit. At light heavyweight, we saw Khalil Rountree get a title shot before Magomed Ankalaev, and at featherweight, we saw Diego Lopes get a title shot before Mosvar Evloev.

“Ilia hasn’t fought since June. He should be ready to go. Paddy very clearly is ready to go. He hasn’t fought since April, his win over Michael Chandler. The best way, we continue to say of the people available. The best way to debut the Paramount Plus era in 2026. First show of 2026. Rumored to be at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas January 24th. The best way to start this is Ilia versus Paddy.” MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani stated on his show following UFC Qatar.

Prediction

Booking Arman Tsarukyan vs Dan Hooker in November gives the UFC the chance to book Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett for UFC’s first Paramount event on January 24th, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This fight sells itself, with two larger-than-life personalities set to face off in a grudge match with lightweight gold on the line. If the UFC wants to generate new interest and a larger audience on Paramount, booking Paddy Pimblett for the first event without a PPV will be massive for growing this company. Pimblett vs. Topuria in January; Arman Tsarukyan faces the winner in mid-2026.