A UFC Corridor of Famer thinks Ilia Topuria will stay the light-weight champ all through 2026, and nobody within the division proper now holds the skillset to dethrone ‘El Matador.
Topuria has not been lively after capturing the vacant 155-pound gold by knocking out Charles Oliveira in Spherical 1 of their light-weight contest at UFC 317. ‘El Matador’ is presently on a hiatus resulting from private causes and is predicted to enter the octagon after the primary quarter of 2026.
When Topuria returns, he’ll lock horns with the soon-to-be-crowned interim 155-pound champion at UFC 324. Whereas the Georgian-Spaniard has determined to take a break from combating, not due to an damage or sickness, there have been talks about stripping him of the title or asking him to vacate it.
Michael Bisping predicts Ilia Topuria will stay champ via 2026
UFC Corridor of Famer Michael Bisping thinks ‘El Matador’ will stay champion all through 2026. The Rely’ additionally added that despite the fact that the primary contender, Arman Tsarukyan, has a better likelihood of beating Topuria in comparison with the others, Topuria vs. Tsarukyan is a bout that Bisping doesn’t assume will materialize anytime quickly. He mentioned:
“I don’t see anybody beating Ilia Topuria – not Paddy, not Justin. There’s Arman Tsarukyan on the market, and he’s the darkish horse. By the top of 2026, Topuria will nonetheless be the champ. Yeah, there’s Arman Tsarukyan on the market, however I don’t assume that combat will materialize simply but.”
Take a look at Michael Bisping’s feedback beneath:
Though Tsarukyan has referred to as out Topuria a number of occasions, ‘El Matador’ has zero curiosity in that combat and has beforehand said that he would vacate the championship relatively than combat the Armenian. Throughout a earlier sit-down with the Nelk Boys, Topuria mentioned:
“They’ll give him a combat earlier than the title shot as a result of there isn’t a method. I’m the world champion, I’m by no means going to offer him an opportunity to combat for the title. I will likely be like, ‘Pay attention, if that’s the case, take my belt.’ I don’t do it.”
Take a look at Ilia Topuria’s feedback beneath:
