Ilia Topuria’s next UFC lightweight opponent teased by old rival in cryptic post | BJPenn.com

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s first title defense could come against an old rival after a social media post went viral.

Ilia Topuria followed up his confident speech with bold action as he knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 earlier this year to win the then-vacant UFC lightweight title. Topuria left the UFC featherweight title earlier this year for a full-time move to lightweight and has dominated one of the division’s top names.

Since Topuria’s title win, several names have been thrown around for his first opponent as champion, including top contender Arman Tsarukyan. But Tsarukyan will face Dan Hooker at the UFC Qatar main event next month in a likely No. 1 fight.

Unless the winner of Tsarukyan vs. Hooker makes a quick turnaround, Topuria’s next opponent remains in the air. But we may have gotten some answers on Friday thanks to one of Topuria’s old adversaries.

Paddy Pimblett teases Ilia Topuria for ‘not signing the contract’ for UFC title fight

In a recent one Instagram Post appeared to hint to Paddy Pimblett that he has signed up to fight Topuria next year.

‘Paddy why not [hand sanitizer boy] Have you signed the contract yet?’” Pimblett posted on Friday.

At the time of writing, there is no substantial media coverage of Topuria vs. Pimblett in the works for an upcoming card. But UFC CEO Dana White recently insinuated that Topuria could potentially be the promotion’s first big card of 2026, when the Paramount+ broadcast partnership takes effect in January.

Topuria also has former lightweight division king Islam Makhachev in mind for his next potential fight. Makhachev will challenge UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event next month.

Topuria and Pimblett have been getting on each other’s nerves for years, following the explosion of a UFC fighter hotel in London in 2022. The two lightweights had a heated confrontation inside the cage at UFC 317, and the two seemed destined for a potential clash.

Topuria has not responded to Pimblett’s post at the time of writing, and the next UFC lightweight title fight remains a mystery. But Pimblett seems confident he’s in the UFC’s plans, and we should get more information on a potential fight soon.