A journey to the number one spot in the UFC lightweight division is a rugged one. Ilia Topuria, a new talented member, has already revealed his brilliant sports skills in both striking and grappling. His good name is due to which he is actually waiting on the edge looking for a top-ranked fight that will turn him into the next future champion. To realize his goal, he first has to deal with the other opponents in the division who are also at the top. Let us now look at the key opponents that will be both the most likely and the ones that will influence his path to the championship title.
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Ilia Topuria’s Current Standing
In 2025, Ilia Topuria is currently one of the best prospects in the UFC. His combination of striking and grappling has made him unmatched by others in the lightweight division. With the help of an amazing track record and strong win streak, Ilia Topuria has already set out to become the division’s champion. However, for this purpose, he has to fight against the best of the best which will be a true test of his preparedness for a title shot.
Potential Matchups for Ilia Topuria
Arman Tsarukyan
Profile: Arman Tsarukyan is an elite lightweight who excels in high-level wrestling and his striking game is also showcasing a broad one. He has been making a solid move in the rankings through dominant performances versus top rivals.
Implication: A bout with Tsarukyan would be a deciding battle for Ilia Topuria, to prove the level of his grappling skills, this would be his first try to fight an elite mobilizer. Tsarukyan, who is known for his wrestling strategies, may be the one to challenge Topuria’s takedown defense or his ground game, thus, setting it as a high-stakes one. In case Topuria comes out victorious, having the upper hand in the match, it would be convincing evidence of his ability to compete with the best grapplers, still, it would increase his chances of getting a title shot.
Charles Oliveira
Profile: Ex-UFC light champ Charles Oliveira currently holds the most submission victories in UFC history. His lethal ground game and aggressive striking are the factors that make him one of the most dangerous fighters in the respective weight class.
Implication: A fight against Oliveira would be a true test of Ilia Topuria’s grappling and striking abilities. Oliveira, as a decorated who can be stopped only by KO/TKP or submission, sets an extremely tough assignment for the opponent. However, a win over him would indeed be a grand achievement. Anyhow, if Topuria is able to defeat a former champion of Oliveira’s standard, it would prove his credibility as a top contender and chances are he will be the next in line to be the title contender.
Dustin Poirier
Profile: Dustin Poirier is a weathered recruit who has contended with the most prominent fighters in UFC, having won over them. He is a rapid, powerful, and strong fighter, who is a tough fighter in the lightweight division.
Implication: A match against Poirier would give Topuria a platform to present his striking abilities which are among the division’s best ones as he would be facing a top-tier striker himself. Poirier’s well-rounded skill set, endurance, and ability to think ahead of a fight make him a difficult fighter to beat. Furthermore, emerging victorious in a battle with Poirier would bring a lot of respect to Topuria, which will show the rest of the division that he is something special.
Justin Gaethje
Profile: Justin Gaethje is famously known as one of the UFC’s most exciting fighters. His knock-out and relentless pressure attacks and the way he charges at the opponents make Gaethje a beloved figure among fans and a dangerous opponent to anyone within the division.
Implication: A Topuria vs. Gaethje fight would be an explosive match. Gaethje’s striking power and withstanding damage would challenge Topuria to the max. Nevertheless, if Topuria is able to sustain through Gaethje’s pressure, and he wins, then it will be a declaration of awe that may lead him to a title fight.
Dan Hooker
Profile: Dan Hooker is certainly well-recognized for his sharp skills in striking, the ability to withstand even the most powerful blows, and his willingness to go up against the best athletes, that’s why he truly deserves credit for being a great fighter. Indeed, he has fought incredibly strong opponents, and he is always the one who brings an attractive style to the fight.
Implication: Although Hooker may not be an elite fighter, he is still a veteran warrior who carries a lot of weight in the division. A hooker fight could serve as a good rehearsal for Topuria, thus offering him the chance to perfect his skills against a skilled striker. A dominant win is what would guarantee the position for him while he simultaneously moves on to a title eliminator bout.
Conclusion
Ilia Topuria is close to a UFC lightweight title shot but he has to go through a lot of obstacles. Defeating opponents like Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, or Dan Hooker would lock him as the number-one contender in the lightweight division. The best option is to pick a foe that pushes the envelope and is a good fight stylistically inside the Octagon. The transitional phase of the division in the UFC and also the current fights for Ilia are the factors that will decide his fate.
Reddaveni Saisneha 
Aditya Khare