UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has sparked significant debate by declaring he would rather give up his title than compete against the division’s No. 1 contender, Arman Tsarukyan. Known as ‘El Matador,’ Topuria clinched the championship by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, but his recent refusal has unsettled fans and experts alike.

Tsarukyan, despite not having fought since April 2024, remains officially ranked as the top contender. Topuria’s stance on avoiding Tsarukyan has raised questions about the current state of the lightweight division and the legitimacy of its challengers.

Paul Felder criticizes Topuria’s avoidance of No.1 contender

UFC analyst and former fighter Paul Felder spoke candidly on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast, expressing his frustration over Topuria’s comments. Felder emphasized that a champion’s role is to face the best challengers rather than sidestep them.

I mean the guy’s the number one contender,

Felder said.

And to say that you would rather relinquish the belt than fight him is- come on man, we’re getting a little carried away. . . . In this generation of fighters, when they get to the top position, they are so willing to jump around weight classes and try to deny fighting guys. It’s not how it f—— works. . . . If you’re the best and he’s not on your level and all this kind of stuff, then prove it. Just go out there and prove it, I hate that.

—Paul Felder

He added his concern about fighters chasing easier or more lucrative matchups instead of proving their supremacy in the division.

[…] I saw [his comments] and I was like, ‘Come on, man, here we go again we got a champion who’s just looking for the biggest thing…’

Felder remarked.

Look, the UFC’s not gonna try and put you in a position that’s not gonna be a big thing. And I think you’re getting to a position, Ilia, where you are the thing. They don’t need the other guy to necessarily be the thing. You’re the guy that people wanna see.

—Paul Felder

Felder’s analysis highlights a broader trend within the UFC landscape, where titleholders sometimes avoid mandatory challengers, resulting in stalled divisions and frustrated fanbases.

Division logjams and challenges facing Tsarukyan

Topuria’s reluctance reflects larger issues affecting multiple UFC weight classes, including the featherweight, middleweight, welterweight, and heavyweight divisions, all experiencing fight delays due to athletes seeking specific opponents or high-profile bouts. Throughout much of 2025, fans have witnessed numerous title contention roadblocks caused by these factors.

Although Tsarukyan holds the official No. 1 contender designation, he has not competed since UFC 300 in April 2024 and lost a title fight at UFC 311 earlier this year. His inactivity among top contenders has led some observers to question if he truly deserves the immediate title shot, while commonly accepted practice encourages fighters not to delay their opportunity once it arrives.

What Ilia Topuria’s stance means for the UFC lightweight division

Topuria’s threat to vacate the lightweight crown rather than face Tsarukyan presents a dilemma for the UFC and its fans. As a two-division champion, his decisions impact the division’s momentum and title legitimacy. Should Topuria relinquish the belt, the UFC may be forced to reorganize rankings or schedule an interim title match, potentially disrupting the division’s flow.

With debate intensifying among fighters, commentators, and matchmakers, how the UFC manages this situation will likely influence future title contention dynamics, including how the organization handles other divisions experiencing fight delays and champion hesitations.