The rivalry and the matchmaking landscape at 155 pounds have become increasingly tangled since June, when Gaethje captured the lightweight crown in a brutal, high-stakes main event at the White House during the UFC Freedom 250 card. That decisive victory not only handed Topuria the first blemish on his otherwise flawless professional record but also stripped him of his championship status. In the months following the historic event, Gaethje’s management team has publicly downplayed the likelihood of immediate rematches, suggesting instead that surging contender Arman Tsarukyan stands as the most logical challenger for the champion’s first title defense—assuming Gaethje opts against retirement.
This reluctance from the champion’s camp to grant an immediate second fight has opened the door to alternative narratives, chief among them a long-rumored grudge match between Topuria and British star Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett. A collision between Topuria and Pimblett has long simmered on the horizon, fueled by years of verbal sparring and contrasting personalities, with many analysts viewing it as a natural blockbuster that could serve as a definitive lightweight title eliminator.
Despite the momentum behind a potential showdown with Pimblett, Topuria remains steadfast in his pursuit of the belt he previously held. Eager to demonstrate where consumer demand truly lies, the former champion took to Instagram on Friday to let the fans decide his next step. He presented his followers with a stark choice: an immediate rematch with Gaethje or a long-awaited grudge fight against Pimblett.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. Within hours, close to one million mixed martial arts enthusiasts had cast their votes. When the final tallies were drawn, 55 percent of the respondents selected "The Highlight" over "The Baddy," indicating that a significant majority of fans are more interested in seeing Topuria attempt to avenge his loss to Gaethje than seeing him settle his differences with Pimblett.
Never one to miss an opportunity to lobby the decision-makers, Topuria quickly ensured that UFC President Dana White caught wind of the landslide digital referendum. Showcasing the rapid engagement of his global fanbase, Topuria shared the poll results directly on his Instagram Stories, tagging the promotional frontman with a pointed reminder of the numbers. "More than 850k votes in less than 24h… @danawhite," Topuria wrote, accompanied by a casual shrugging emoji to emphasize the undeniable weight of the public mandate.
The digital campaign arrives at a critical juncture for the lightweight division’s matchmaking. Dana White recently addressed Topuria’s current status and future outlook, confirming that formal discussions are already underway regarding the former multi-division champion’s highly anticipated comeback fight, tentatively scheduled for 2027. Notably, White has also expressed strong support for Pimblett’s recent proposal: a prospective season of The Ultimate Fighter featuring Pimblett and Topuria coaching opposing teams, culminating in a heated, highly marketable grudge match inside the cage.
As the UFC brass weighs its options for the lightweight division’s upper echelon, Topuria’s proactive approach ensures that the pressure remains on the promotion’s leadership. With nearly a million fans registering their preference for a second installment of the White House championship clash, "El Matador" has provided Dana White with hard data to consider as the blueprint for 2027 begins to take shape. Whether the promotion opts to grant the Spaniard his desired redemption arc against Gaethje or pivots toward the explosive animosity of a Pimblett rivalry, Topuria’s message has been successfully delivered straight to the top.
