Ilia Topuria has abandoned his featherweight kingdom to stalk the most dangerous prey in the UFC’s shark-infested kingdom. The undefeated Spanish-Georgian has officially infiltrated lightweight waters—a merciless barrage of killers where only the most perfectly evolved predators survive the evolutionary arms race. His championship bloodlust initially targeted Islam Makhachev’s lightweight crown, but with the Dagestani kingpin seemingly unmoved by his challenge, Topuria’s predatory instincts can very well be matched against the division’s most lethal submission artist—Charles Oliveira.

The Brazilian finisher, whose twenty UFC execution notices establish him as the promotion’s most prolific human highlight reel, represents the perfect sacrificial offering to appease the lightweight gods. However, this potential maneuver has encountered resistance from Oliveira’s tactical commander. According to verbose analyst Chael Sonnen, ‘Do Bronx’s’ coach and manager Diego Lima has unfurled a non-negotiable battle proclamation—the Brazilian will only summon his powers against Topuria when the Georgian-Spaniard has the 155lbs crown on his head.

“[According to Oliveira’s manager], no, Charles Oliveira will not, he will not fight Ilia Topuria– Charles deserves a title shot. In fact, Charles sees it that if Ilia wants to fight Charles, Charles is making a demand that he’s got two choices- first, he fight Max Holloway for the BMF belt and he wins, then Charles will grant him the fight, so that Charles is fighting for a title, I assume. Or Ilia fights and defeats Islam. If he fights and defeats Islam and he is the world champion, then Charles will fight him because, again, it would be for the belt,” ‘Uncle Chael’ told fans on his official YouTube channel.

It’s safe to say the Brazilian has his sights set on the 155-pound title more than anything—even if it means relying on the potential newly crowned juggernaut, Ilia Topuria, to take down the Dagestani gold standard. Talk about a path!

But what path will Topuria take? One option is a shot at Makhachev for the lightweight title—but that seems unlikely, as the Dagestani champion doesn’t appear eager to fight him right away. Another possibility? A showdown with BMF champion Max Holloway, followed by a fight against Charles Oliveira with that belt in tow. But that also seems far-fetched, considering ‘Blessed’ is coming off a knockout loss to ‘El Matador’ at UFC 308. With both paths looking uncertain, the question remains—where does that leave Topuria?

Who else could Ilia Topuria face after his lightweight move?

Well, since Topuria probably cannot come through on either of Oliveira’s conditions, he must fight another top-ranked lightweight next. The best, most appropriate candidate seems to be Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian, of course, is ranked #1 in the division, and was set to fight for the title at UFC 311 in January but pulled out due to an injury. If Topuria can defeat Tsarukyan, there will be no doubt at all that he deserves a title shot.

Moreover, there is a faint possibility of a Dustin Poirier clash, since ‘The Diamond’ is looking for a big fight in his native Louisiana as his swansong. Moreover, the former interim champ went to the fifth round with Makhachev in their UFC 302 clash last year, and beating him, even in his farewell fight will prove ‘El Matador’ belongs at the highest level.

In addition, a new possibility has emerged for the Madrid resident, since Dan Hooker is officially out of his UFC 313 clash against Justin Gaethje. While that card is just about two weeks away, if Topuria wants to establish himself as a serious lightweight and prove to Makhachev he belongs in the division, a win over the legendary Gaethje– on short notice no less– will almost definitely do the trick.

However, these prospects seem highly unlikely as Topuria’s team is only willing to go for the title straight away. “Ilia wants a championship fight. He will not fight for the status of a contender with Tsarukyan or anyone else.” Topuria’s team told Russian media agency TASS. What do you think about Charles Oliveira’s conditions to fight Ilia Topuria?