Ilia Topuria’s next UFC fight is becoming one of the biggest questions in the lightweight division. While Paddy Pimblett remains a popular option, Topuria’s manager Malki Kawa has made the team’s preference clear. Kawa wants Topuria to get another shot at Justin Gaethje after the former champion suffered the first loss of his professional career at UFC Freedom 250.
Malki Kawa Makes Topuria’s Preferred Fight Clear
Kawa recently reshared UFC CEO Dana White discussing the two leading possibilities for Topuria’s return. White said both a Gaethje rematch and a fight with Pimblett would be major matchups for the UFC.Kawa’s response left little room for confusion. He indicated that Topuria’s team wants to run back the Gaethje fight and seek revenge for the defeat.The manager wrote, “We want the get back 100%,” making it clear that Pimblett is not the priority for Topuria’s camp right now.
That stance comes at an important moment for the lightweight division. Topuria is now trying to rebuild after losing his championship, while Gaethje has established himself as the undisputed lightweight champion.The UFC has not announced Topuria’s next opponent or a date for his return. However, White recently confirmed that Topuria is ready to compete again after spending months recovering from the damage suffered against Gaethje.
Ilia Topuria 17-1-0
Topuria enters this stage of his career with a 17-1-0 record. He has seven knockout victories, eight submissions and 10 first-round finishes on his UFC profile.His only professional defeat came against Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. The fight ended after Topuria’s corner stopped the contest following four rounds of punishment, handing him his first loss and ending his lightweight title reign.
Before that setback, Topuria had built one of the most impressive resumes in the UFC. He captured the featherweight championship by defeating Alexander Volkanovski and later moved to lightweight, where he stopped Charles Oliveira to win the vacant title.The loss to Gaethje therefore changed the direction of a career that had previously appeared almost unstoppable.Topuria has since returned to the public eye after a lengthy period away from social media and recently signaled that he is ready to begin the next chapter of his career.
Why Topuria Wants Gaethje Again
A rematch would give Topuria an immediate opportunity to correct the biggest setback of his career. His team also appears convinced that the first meeting does not represent the best version of the former champion.Kawa previously defended Topuria after Ali Abdelaziz criticized the former champion and suggested that other fighters could beat him. Kawa responded aggressively and maintained that Topuria could defeat Gaethje if they met again.That belief has now translated into a direct demand for the rematch.
The problem is that Gaethje has repeatedly shown little interest in immediately running the fight back. After beating Topuria, the champion said the former titleholder should win another fight before receiving another championship opportunity.Gaethje has also indicated that he does not expect to compete again during 2026. That creates a major obstacle for Topuria because the former champion may have to wait several months if his team insists on fighting only Gaethje.
Paddy Pimblett Remains a Major Alternative
Pimblett is the obvious alternative because his rivalry with Topuria has existed for years. The two fighters have exchanged insults and had a confrontation during UFC London fight week in 2022, creating a storyline that the UFC could easily turn into a major pay-per-view attraction.Pimblett 24-4-0 recently bounced back from his loss to Gaethje by submitting Benoît Saint Denis in just 52 seconds at UFC 329. The victory moved him back into the upper portion of the lightweight division and restored some of the momentum he lost earlier in the year.Pimblett has also made it clear that he remains interested in fighting Topuria. However, he recently admitted that the UFC has not approached him about a confirmed matchup with the former champion.
That means the fight remains a possibility rather than a scheduled contest.From a promotional perspective, Topuria vs Pimblett could be enormous. Their history gives the UFC a ready-made storyline, while both fighters have large fan bases and recognizable personalities.From Topuria’s perspective, though, the fight would not immediately return him to championship contention. A victory over Pimblett could put him back in position for another title opportunity, but it would require him to rebuild his case first.
The Lightweight Division Has Become Crowded
Topuria’s situation is complicated by the number of contenders waiting around Gaethje. Arman Tsarukyan is scheduled to face Mauricio Ruffy in a fight that could have major title implications, while Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway also remain relevant names at the top of the division.Fans can keep track of the changing title picture through the latest UFC lightweight rankings, which highlight how crowded the division has become.Jon Anik has also suggested that the UFC is seriously considering a Gaethje-Topuria rematch. According to Anik, there have been internal discussions about putting the two fighters together again despite Gaethje previously pushing back against the idea.That possibility could become more realistic if the UFC decides that the commercial value of the rematch outweighs the sporting arguments against it.
Dana White Has Not Chosen Topuria’s Next Opponent
White has publicly acknowledged both options without committing to either one. The UFC president said a Gaethje rematch would be an incredible fight, while also describing Topuria vs Pimblett as an exciting matchup.That leaves the final decision with the UFC.Topuria’s team clearly prefers one route, but the promotion must also consider Gaethje’s availability, the lightweight rankings and the timing of other contenders.If Gaethje remains unavailable until 2027, the UFC could decide that Topuria needs another fight first. In that scenario, Pimblett could become one of the most logical options available.The former champion could also benefit from another fight if he wants to rebuild confidence after such a damaging defeat. A strong performance against another top lightweight would make a future title fight much easier to justify.
What Happens Next for Ilia Topuria?
For now, Topuria’s team is waiting. Kawa’s message shows that the preferred target remains Gaethje, but the UFC has not confirmed that the champion will agree to the rematch.That leaves two very different paths for Topuria. He can wait for Gaethje and potentially return directly to the championship picture, or he can accept another elite lightweight and work his way back toward the belt.Pimblett is the most obvious name if the UFC chooses the second route. Their rivalry would give the fight an immediate promotional hook, while a victory would give Topuria another major win after his first career defeat.The latest UFC top prospects 2026 picture also shows how quickly new contenders are emerging behind the established names, making timing increasingly important for Topuria.
Final Thoughts
Ilia Topuria’s manager has made the team’s preference unmistakable. They want Justin Gaethje again, and Kawa’s latest message shows that the goal is revenge rather than a detour into another matchup.The UFC, however, has more than one option. Paddy Pimblett offers a huge rivalry fight, while Gaethje provides the chance to immediately settle the biggest unfinished story in Topuria’s career.For now, nothing has been booked. But with Topuria ready to return and the UFC considering both possibilities, his next move could reshape the entire lightweight title picture.
