The UFC have teased Ilia Topuria’s next fight with a social media video as speculation continues to build over who ‘El Matador’ will face on his octagon return.
Topuria emphatically knocked future UFC Hall of Famer Charles Oliveira out inside one round at UFC 317 to win the UFC Lightweight Title, and is set to defend his belt in the coming months.
UFC Tease Ilia Topuria Next Fight With Social Media Video
The official UFC Europe X account (@UFCEurope) have posted a clip of Ilia Topuria’s knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, teasing a return to action for the UFC Lightweight Champion.
The post also included the question “who next for El Matador?!”, with MMA fans voicing their opinions on who they feel the new 155-pound king should fight in his first defence of the UFC Lightweight Title belt.
Topuria is the second most popular UFC fighter in the world behind Conor McGregor, so fans are getting impatient as to when they will get to see the Spanish-Georgian MMA superstar back inside the cage.
Given that an official UFC X account has teased Topuria’s return on social media, it seems an announcement over his next fight could be imminent. But just who will ‘El Matador’ face next?
Talk has been rife as to who Topuria will defend his 155-pound strap against for the first time. The likes of Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan have all been touted for potential fights for the 28-year-old next.
However, as of today none of these fights have been officially confirmed. As the #1 fighter in the latest UFC pound-for-pound rankings, Topuria will be massively favoured to defeat whoever is put in front of him.
Following the speculation of Ilia Topuria’s next fight and this social media tease from the UFC, we take a look at some of the standout options who could face ‘El Matador’ next.
Last time we saw @TopuriaIlia in the Octagon 😳 🇪🇸
Who next for El Matador?! pic.twitter.com/JR6BUqAvDI
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) October 28, 2025
Who Will Ilia Topuria’s Next Fight Be Against?
Paddy Pimblett
Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett was confirmed for UFC 324 main event by some sources, but as of yet Dana White is yet to announce this officially.
The fight still might headline UFC 324 in January, but as far as official confirmation goes from White himself or anyone in the UFC there has been nothing concrete.
Although some fans may feel Pimblett doesn’t deserve the next UFC Lightweight Title shot, a Topuria vs Pimblett showdown is arguably the biggest of all possible match-ups for everyone involved.
Pimblett is a huge draw and the pair have history, so the fight sells itself. However, ‘The Baddy’ has really only beaten Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson in terms of big names, both of whom were on losing runs.
As the #6 ranked 155-pound contender, Pimblett may need just one more win under his belt before a showdown with ‘El Matador.
That being said, Topuria vs Pimblett is the biggest fight possible in terms of name value and status, so it may well come to fruition next.
Justin Gaethje
Another potential option for Ilia Topuria’s next fight is against the #5 ranked Justin Gaethje.
Topuria vs Gaethje was confirmed for the UFC 324 main event previously, but it turns out that hasn’t been signed, sealed or delivered officially just yet.
UFC President Dana White may well give Gaethje his third shot at the UFC Lightweight Title at UFC 324 in January, but as of yet nothing concrete has been officially announced by relevant parties.
Gaethje has insisted that he deserves the next shot at ‘El Matador’, and has even suggested he will walk away from the UFC and MMA as a whole if he isn’t granted a shot at Topuria next.
Time will tell whether Gaethje’s wishes are granted or not.
Arman Tsarukyan
Arman Tsarukyan’s record inside the UFC octagon is arguably the most impressive in the lightweight division, so he may well be the guy who gets the call to fight Ilia Topuria next.
That being said, Tsarukyan has business to deal with first on November 22 against the #7 ranked Dan Hooker. Tsarukyan vs Hooker headlines UFC Qatar in a few weeks time, and the winner of that fight may well get the call to face ‘El Matador’ next.
Tsarukyan is the #1 ranked contender at 155-pounds, but has had to endure a frustrating period after pulling out of his previously booked UFC Lightweight Title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January.
The Armenian MMA phenom hasn’t fought since last April where he defeated Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. Inactivity has killed Tsarukyan of late, but should he beat Hooker on November 22, he may well get the call for a quick turnaround to face Ilia Topuria early next year.
Anyone Else?
Although Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje are the most obvious options for Ilia Topuria’s next fight in early 2026, Arman Tsarukyan is also a third option.
Not to mention the fact that if Dan Hooker beats Tsarukyan on November 22, then he may well jump the queue and be granted a shot against ‘El Matador’ straight away for the UFC Lightweight Title.
Outside of these four names, the only other potential opponents for Topuria’s first UFC Lightweight Title defence are Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.
Again, neither of these names massively appeal given the fact Topuria has already beaten both. Yes, Oliveira bounced back in style last time out in beating Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Rio, but he is still another win away from a potential rematch with Topuria.
Similarly, Holloway looked good last time out against Dustin Poirier in their trilogy for the BMF Title, but was emphatically stopped by the Spanish-Georgian MMA phenom back in October 2024 at UFC 308.
That fight was down at featherweight though, so Holloway perhaps has more of a chance to rematch Topuria next than Oliveira does.
That being said, Oliveira called out Holloway in the aftermath of his UFC Rio submission victory on October 11, so it seems that fight will happen next and Ilia Topuria’s next fight will be against Pimblett, Gaethje or Tsarukyan.
