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Ilia Topuria had his face turned inside out by Justin Gaethje atop the UFC White House fight card back in June, in what marked the first loss for “El Matador” in his professional MMA career. The damage sustained was severe enough to keep Topuria out of action until the end of the year or perhaps early 2027. Ilia Topuria next fight? ‘Easy’ Michael Chandler, according to UFC matchmaker Arman That kind of layoff may require a tuneup fight upon his return. “He’s still recovering and probably next for him a fight with Michael Chandler and then come back and fight for the title,” No. 2-ranked lightweight contender, Arman Tsarukyan, told UFC on Paramount. “Who else? After this fight, he needs someone easy, an easy fight, and then after that fight come and fight again.” Tsarukyan hopes to be champion by then, a quest that continues against Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 next month in Los Angeles. “There’s a lot of top guys,” the 29-year-old Tsarukyan (23-3) explained. “Me, [Charles] Oliveira still. Paddy Pimblett. Topuria. Max Holloway is tough as well. But when I beat Ruffy, I’m going to fight for the title and then I can pick who I want to fight.” The reigning lightweight champion may have something to say about that.