One of the biggest non-title fights of the year has been booked for UFC 311. Elite lightweights Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy will clash in the co-main event of September’s numbered event.
This fight guarantees a title shot for the victor. Arman Tsarukyan is clearly one of the best lightweights in the world. As for Mauricio Ruffy, he’s one of the most entertaining fighters on the entire UFC roster because of his creativity as a striker. Whether it’s spinning wheel kicks or flying knees, Ruffy always intends to show out.
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This booking clarifies the big picture of the 155-pound division. Now that Tsarukyan vs Ruffy is booked, there are obvious options for what’s next at the top of the division.
UFC Lightweight Championship: Justin Gaethje vs Charles Oliveira
There’s only one contender who is worthy of fighting Gaethje for the 155-pound strap. That’s Charles Oliveira. The former lightweight champion defeated Gaethje via first-round submission at UFC 274.
So the tables are turned now. It’s Gaethje who will enter this potential fight week as the champion, and Oliveira is looking to become a two-time UFC champion.
This is the only fight that makes sense; Oliveira is on a two-fight win streak against Mateusz Gamrot and Max Holloway. Oliveira also has a win over Gaethje, which really helps his case.
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No. 1 contender bout: Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett
Unquestionably the biggest non-title fight that can be made in the UFC. Topuria and Pimblett are heated rivals who have real disdain for each other.
This beef dates back to 2021, when they shared a fight card in London and got into a hotel scuffle in which Pimblett threw a hand sanitizer bottle at Topuria.
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Topuria lost his title at UFC Freedom 250. He has to beat a top contender to fight for the belt once again. Pimblett just had a massive first-round submission win over Benoit Saint Denis, solidifying himself as a top-five lightweight on the planet.
There’s no fight that makes more sense in the sport. Ideally, this happens at the end of the year or at the top of 2027.
Max Holloway vs No Man’s Land
What happens with Max Holloway now? From an outside perspective, Holloway is fully healthy after securing the easiest win of his life against a frail Conor McGregor.
Since Tsarukyan-Ruffy is booked, there aren’t any huge fights for Holloway at 155 right now. Ruffy would’ve made the most sense, but now he’s booked for a fight that can earn him a title shot.
Therefore, Holloway is on the back burner now. Which is awful considering he’s still a viable contender at 155 and even has a more recent win over Gaethje than Oliveira does.
All things considered, it won’t be for a while, but Holloway should fight the loser of the Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett matchup.
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