Dana White says Ilia Topuria is ready to get back in the cage, and he's floated two very different paths forward. Justin Gaethje has shut down the idea of a rematch with Ilia Topuria, stating that Arman Tsarukyan deserves the next shot. A fresh matchup with Paddy Pimblett, which would give Topuria a totally different kind of test to reset his momentum, is also a possibility.
Sources (12)
We summarise the day's news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work.
- Dana White Says Ilia Topuria Is Ready To Fight; Gaethje Rematch Or Pimblett Bout Could Follow (MiddleEasy)
- Islam Makhachev says there’s a ‘90%’ chance Usman Nurmagomedov joins UFC (Sherdog)
- Manon Fiorot: UFC says Alexa Grasso fight will decide next title challenger (Sherdog)
- Michael Page jokes about backlash after UFC declines to re-sign him (Sherdog)
- Justin Gaethje questions Arman Tsarukyan’s UFC 311 injury claim (Sherdog)
- Justin Gaethje breaks down Ilia Topuria’s fatal flaws during White House fight: ‘He made terrible mistakes’ (MMA Mania)
- Roberto Soldic says UFC pay ‘not even close’ to One Championship deal (Sherdog)
- Justin Gaethje went from 80 cents to not touching his UFC title paycheck (Sherdog)
- PFL sets final event before MVP rebrand with bantamweight title fight (Sherdog)
- Jake Paul wants Michael Page following UFC exit: 'Bring MVP to MVP' (Sherdog)
- King Green makes stunning claim about competing against Islam Makhachev (Sherdog)
- ‘Don’t touch me’... Noche UFC opponents almost come to blows during hotel lobby scuffle (Bloody Elbow)
Split from that day's roundup, so the sources listed are the full set behind the whole edition rather than this story alone.
This story ran in the September 10, 2026 edition of the daily show.