As is often the case after a UFC pay-per-view, a few very bad ideas for The Next Big Fight are being bandied about. There’s Volk vs. Yair, which we’ve already addressed, but there’s also Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev (also a bad idea — no way Ilia deserves this before Tsarukyan) and Gaethje vs. Islam (an even worse idea, since Gaethje hasn’t come anywhere near earning this). But as usual, we’re here to lend a guiding hand to the fight gods so that the best fights are made, and the dumb fight ideas go do Dumb Fight Idea Heaven. Here’s the ideal card for UFC 319:
Main Event: Topuria vs. Tsarukyan. Look, we all know that Tsarukyan is in the doghouse with Dana for pulling out of his title shot with Islam at the last minute under questionable circumstances. If you watched the post-fight presser, you know that Dana knows something we don’t — but whatever it is, it has the boss feeling like Tsarukyan needs to do something big to earn that shot back. Beating Ilia Topuria would definitely be that something big. As for Topuria, this is more than fair for his first lightweight bout; spectacular as his last two featherweight fights have been (KOing Volk and Max Holloway), they don’t entitle him to an immediate lightweight title shot. These two guys are definitely the thirstiest for a fight against Islam, and no one else is more deserving.
Co-main Event: Gaethje vs Pimblett: So if Gaethje wants a huge fight before retiring, he ought to earn it, and squeaking by Fiziev and getting sensationally slept by Max doesn’t cut it. OK then — give him Paddy. Paddy’s on a hell of a streak and established himself as a legit contender, but a title shot for him is obviously premature. Justin Gaethje is a perfect next opponent; can Paddy handle his massive punching power? Can Gaethje derail the hype train? Justin is a bit of a reach for what Paddy “deserves” (Hooker is probably more fair), but by now we all know that the UFC will happily bump fairness to the side if there’s a compelling narrative they can get some mileage out of.
The world would be excited for Paddy vs Hooker, but they will be absolutely frothing at the mouth about Gaethje, and same for Ilia vs. Tsarukyan. Sign on the line, fellas, and let’s do it.
