Late last year, Ilia Topuria defended the UFC featherweight title against Max Holloway at UFC 308 and decided to move up to lightweight. He then managed to land a title shot against Charles Oliveira and snatched the vacant UFC lightweight title in June 2025 at UFC 317. Now, as the former double champion prepares for his first lightweight title defense, expected in late 2025 or early 2026, a problem has emerged.

Who will Topuria face next? A few names are being touted by fans divided about the best next step for ‘El Matador.’ Who? Well, Paddy Pimblett is in the mix thanks to their long-standing feud and post-fight face-off. Justin Gaethje continues to call for a title shot, while Arman Tsarukyan could earn his chance if he beats Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar on November 22. Interestingly, though, Beneil Dariush is backing Tsarukyan to be next.

Beneil Dariush ditches former teammate Justin Gaethje

Dariush, who helped Justin Gaethje prepare for his bout against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249, recently spoke with Denis Shkuratov of Submission Radio. During the interview, Shkuratov asked the 36-year-old about the chances of the Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker winner earning a title shot amid speculation over Ilia Topuria’s next opponent. “I would say that’s a number one contender fight for both guys. I think that makes the most sense for one of those guys to get the title shot,” Dariush said confidently.

He then addressed the circulating rumors about who might actually face Topuria next. “I’m hearing rumors of Justin Gaethje, to be honest, getting the title shot. I don’t know how true that is. We’ll see how that goes,” he added. While dismissing Paddy Pimblett’s chances, Dariush emphasized, “I think the people who are most deserving would be the winner of that [Tsarukyan vs. Hooker] fight.”

When asked who deserves the shot and who he would personally like to see fight Topuria, Dariush leaned toward Tsarukyan over Justin Gaethje. “Between those two guys, I would say Justin [deserves], but I think Arman would be the fight that I would like most to see,” he said during the interview. “I think he’s most deserving.”

Referring to Tsarukyan’s canceled title fight against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 in January 2025—which fell through after a last-minute back injury—Dariush noted, “He did mess up not making weight. That really pushed him back.” Even so, he maintained that Tsarukyan remains “the most deserving guy, cuz he’s done quite a bit.”

Notably, Topuria has previously dismissed Arman Tsarukyan as “unreliable” because of his withdrawal from the Makhachev fight in January this year. While the Georgian champion’s next opponent remains uncertain, past comments from his manager may have inadvertently revealed who Topuria will face next.

Manager leaks next opponent for Ilia Topuria 

In August, Ilia Topuria’s manager may have revealed the champion’s next opponent. After Pimblett’s face-off against the Georgian at UFC 317 started fight talks, a deleted Instagram post from Topuria’s manager, Lukasz Orzel, hinted that Justin Gaethje will be the one to land the fight. “Say goodnight, Gaethje,” read Orzel’s post. 

It was followed by the hashtags ‘#AndStill’ and ‘#UFC322.’ Although it’s unclear whether this fight will happen or not, UFC CEO Dana White had previously dismissed Pimblett’s title hopes, saying their heated post-fight faceoff went “off script.” If Orzel’s leak proves true, Topuria vs. Gaethje could be the next bout. There are rumors that this one will kick off the Paramount-UFC era in January next year.

At the end of the day, nothing has been officially confirmed by the UFC or Dana White about Ilia Topuria’s future. However, there appears to be a lot of evidence for Justin Gaethje being the next in line. Who do you think deserves the title shot most?