Ilia Topuria has returned to training after recovering from the injuries he sustained in his fight with Justin Gaethje at the White House, though the UFC has still not confirmed who he will face next, ABC España reported.
According to the outlet, a rematch with Gaethje or a meeting with Paddy Pimblett appeared to be the only viable options for Topuria, known as El Matador. The possibility that the American retires has opened a different scenario: a fight with Arman Tsarukyan for the vacant lightweight title.
"If it were a real option..." — Usman Nurmagomedov, in remarks reported by ABC España.
Nurmagomedov, a cousin of Khabib 'The Eagle', has questioned whether the UFC genuinely intends to match Topuria against Tsarukyan, the current number two in the lightweight ranking. His reasoning, as reported, is simple: had the organization believed the Hispanic-Georgian had a genuine chance of beating the Armenian, the bout would already have taken place.
Per ABC España, the promotion has steered away from the pairing because it does not see realistic options of victory for Topuria against Tsarukyan.
