July 24, 2025

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Topuria Threatens to Vacate Belt Rather Than Face Tsarukyan

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has drawn a firm line in the sand: he will not defend his newly won title against No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan unless the Armenian fighter proves his reliability with another 155-pound bout. Speaking to the Nelk Boys on July 24, Topuria criticized Tsarukyan’s late withdrawal from a previous title opportunity and insisted “If that’s the case, take my belt.” Tsarukyan fired back on X, taunting the champion for already seeking a way out and vowing “Either way, it’s mine.” With Topuria’s first defense still unsettled, names like Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett or even a rematch with Max Holloway are now front-and-center.

Expert Picks and Best Bets for Whittaker vs. de Ridder

ABU DHABI — This Saturday at Etihad Arena, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (ranked No. 6) collides with unbeaten One Championship import Reinier de Ridder in the UFC Fight Night main event (3 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+). ESPN MMA analysts split on whether Whittaker’s tactical striking or de Ridder’s relentless grappling will prevail, while ESPN betting guru Ian Parker has installed Whittaker as a -150 favorite.

Parker’s top value plays on the rest of the Abu Dhabi card include:

Jose Ochoa (-110) over Asu Almabayev

Nikita Krylov (-185) versus Bogdan Guskov

Ibo Aslan by KO/TKO against Billy Elekana

With high-stakes matchups across three prelims and six main-card bouts, bettors have ample angles to explore before Saturday’s weigh-ins.

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NSAC Upholds Suspension of Sean Strickland, Hearing Delayed to August

LAS VEGAS — Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland’s indefinite suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission was upheld Wednesday, with his disciplinary hearing postponed until the commission’s August meeting.

State regulators pulled Strickland’s fighter and corner licenses after he stormed the cage and punched Luis Hernandez at a June 29 Tuff-N-Uff event. With the NSAC’s ruling in place, the UFC cannot book "Tarzan" anywhere worldwide until the matter is resolved.

Key point:

Comparable NSAC rulings, such as 9-month bans for Arman Tsarukyan and Khabib Nurmagomedov, suggest Strickland could face up to a year away from competition and a hefty fine before returning to action.

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‘Take My Belt’: Topuria Threatens to Vacate Title Rather Than Face Tsarukyan