Ilia Topuria has been urged to vacate the UFC lightweight title after he expressed unwillingness to defend his belt against top contender Arman Tsarukyan. This development marks a significant moment in the UFC lightweight division following Topuria’s recent championship win.
Topuria, who became champion last month by knocking out veteran Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, has sparked controversy with his refusal to face Tsarukyan, the No.1-ranked lightweight. Tsarukyan’s manager, Daniel Rubenstein, publicly called for Topuria to relinquish the belt if he refuses to defend it against rightful challengers.
Topuria’s title win and refusal to face Tsarukyan
The Georgian-born Spanish fighter secured the lightweight title in June 2025 after a swift first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira, ending the veteran’s reign. Following this victory, UFC president Dana White began seeking suitable opponents for Topuria’s first title defense. Tsarukyan, currently the top-ranked lightweight contender, emerged repeatedly as a logical next challenger.
When asked about defending his title against Tsarukyan during a discussion with the Nelk Boys, Topuria made clear his reluctance to grant that opportunity. His comments left the MMA community stunned as he outright refused to face Tsarukyan, stating he would rather surrender the belt than fight him.
“They are gonna give him a fight before the title shot, because there is no way, I’m the world champion. I’m never gonna give him a chance to fight for the title.”
—Ilia Topuria
“I will be like, ‘If that’s the case, take my belt,’ I won’t do it.”
—Ilia Topuria
Tsarukyan’s camp response and division fallout
Following Topuria’s announcement, Daniel Rubenstein responded emphatically on social media, urging Topuria to vacate the title and allow the top contenders to compete for the belt. Rubenstein proposed a title fight between Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje for the vacant championship should Topuria step away.
“Vacate it, walk away. Tsarukyan vs [Justin] Gaethje for the vacant lightweight UFC championship.”
—Daniel Rubenstein, Arman Tsarukyan’s manager
Tsarukyan himself addressed Topuria’s refusal, challenging the legitimacy of his claim to the championship and vowing to claim the title by any means necessary.
“Imagine calling yourself a champion, but you’re already looking for a way out, You can vacate it, or I’ll take it. Either way, it’s mine.”
—Arman Tsarukyan
Topuria’s undefeated record and recent achievements
Ilia Topuria enters this controversy with an unblemished UFC record of nine wins and zero losses, including notable stoppages over prominent fighters. Before capturing the lightweight title, he dominated the featherweight division, winning the belt by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024 and defending it against Max Holloway at UFC 308.
- Defeated Charles Oliveira via first-round KO at UFC 317 (June 2025) to win lightweight title
- Defended featherweight title against Max Holloway via third-round KO at UFC 308 (October 2024)
- Won featherweight title over Alexander Volkanovski with second-round KO at UFC 298 (February 2024)
- Victory over Josh Emmett via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night (June 2023)
- Submission win against Bryce Mitchell at UFC 282 (December 2022)
- KO win against Jai Herbert at UFC Fight Night (March 2022)
- Knockout victory over Ryan Hall at UFC 264 (July 2021)
- First-round KO against Damon Jackson at UFC Fight Night (December 2020)
- Unanimous decision win over Youssef Zalal at UFC Fight Night (October 2020)
Tsarukyan and other contenders eyeing the lightweight title
Arman Tsarukyan, a 28-year-old from Armenia, is currently riding a four-fight winning streak in the UFC’s lightweight division, including a recent victory over Oliveira at UFC 300. Initially set to fight former champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, Tsarukyan withdrew last minute due to injury. He remains a key figure pushing for a title shot.
Besides Tsarukyan, other contenders are positioning themselves for a shot at Topuria’s belt. Max Holloway, ranked fourth, is seeking a rematch after being knocked out by Topuria in October 2024. Holloway hopes to leverage his recent win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 to secure another chance at the title.
Justin Gaethje has also declared that he will retire if he does not receive a title shot next. There are growing rumors about a title eliminator involving Liverpool’s rising star Paddy Pimblett, who has gained significant attention after defeating Michael Chandler in May.
Topuria’s transition to lightweight and impact on the division
After dominating the featherweight division, Topuria vacated that title to challenge himself at lightweight, where he quickly became champion. His rapid ascent to two-division titleholder status, capped by his knockout of Oliveira, has shaken up the UFC lightweight landscape.
Topuria’s refusal to defend against Tsarukyan introduces uncertainty over the division’s future. The lightweight title is at risk of being contested without its current holder, potentially leading to a vacant belt scenario where leading contenders will vie for supremacy.
Implications for the UFC lightweight championship
Topuria’s decision not to face the top contender reflects deeper tension within the UFC lightweight division, where multiple fighters are eager to challenge for the belt. If Topuria vacates the title as suggested, it could set the stage for a high-stakes battle between Tsarukyan and Gaethje, or potentially others like Holloway or Pimblett, to determine the next undisputed champion.
For the UFC, this situation requires careful management to maintain competitive integrity and fan interest in one of the promotion’s most prestigious divisions. Dana White and UFC officials will likely move swiftly to organize new matchups and clarify the division’s path forward.