Ali Abdelaziz has shut the door – at least for now – on one of the UFC’s most talked‑about potential rematches.
The manager of UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje insists Ilia Topuria will not be the next man across from his client, despite growing chatter that the promotion could immediately run back their June clash at UFC Freedom 250, a night Gaethje turned the division on its head with a stunning upset win.
Speaking on Submission Radio, Abdelaziz was blunt.
“He’s not fighting Justin Gaethje next… I believe Justin Gaethje will beat him nine out of 10 time. You know why? Justin have his number… this fight will never happen. I can tell you this,” he said, pouring cold water on the idea of Gaethje vs. Topuria 2 as the UFC’s next lightweight title headliner.
For Topuria, that means the path back to Gaethje may not be immediate. For the rest of the division, it cracks a window wide open.
Tsarukyan’s Moment?
If Abdelaziz is right and the Gaethje–Topuria rematch is off the table for now, the obvious beneficiary stands in the wings: Arman Tsarukyan.
Tsarukyan has done just about everything a contender can do without holding the belt. Six straight wins. A growing reputation as one of the most complete lightweights on the roster. And most recently, a vicious first‑round KO of Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event of UFC 331 that felt like a statement, not just a victory.
The performance over Ruffy didn’t just extend a streak; it sharpened Tsarukyan’s claim. He’s beaten everyone in front of him, he’s done it convincingly, and he’s done it while the title picture above him twisted and stalled.
The UFC doesn’t always reward merit. Star power, timing, and narrative often jump the queue. But in this case, overlooking Tsarukyan again would stretch credibility. With Gaethje holding the belt and Topuria apparently out of the immediate frame, the Armenian contender’s résumé looks impossible to ignore.
The opportunity is there. The question is whether the promotion will take the straightforward route or chase the chaos of another quick rematch.
Abdelaziz can say the Gaethje–Topuria sequel “will never happen,” but he also knows the final call doesn’t belong to him. It belongs to the UFC matchmakers and the business they’re trying to build. If they decide the rematch is the bigger play, they’ll make it, and everyone else will fall in line.
For now, though, the door to a long‑awaited title shot stands right in front of Arman Tsarukyan. The only thing left to find out is whether the UFC actually lets him walk through it.
