Henry Cejudo has put forward a unique matchmaking proposal for the UFC lightweight division, suggesting a series of high-profile fights to determine Justin Gaethje’s next title challenger.
Arman Tsarukyan’s impressive first-round knockout victory over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on Saturday appears to have moved him to the front of the line for a shot at the UFC lightweight championship. However, the division’s title picture remains complicated by the ongoing situation involving former champion Ilia Topuria.
Gaethje dethroned Topuria as champion at the White House earlier this year, and the two fighters have exchanged messages on social media over the past week. An immediate rematch for the lightweight title remains a possibility.
With multiple contenders in the mix, Cejudo has offered an alternative approach that would involve Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, Tsarukyan and Usman Nurmagomedov.
Cejudo Outlines His Hypothetical Matchmaking Plan
Speaking on his Pound4Pound podcast on Monday, Cejudo proposed matching Topuria against Pimblett and Tsarukyan against Nurmagomedov. The winners would then compete for the opportunity to challenge Gaethje for the title.
“Hey, if Justin Gaethje really is that hurt, then check what I'm about to say. You do Ilia Topuria versus Paddy the Baddy. You do Usman Nurmagomedov versus Arman Tsarukyan. Whoever performs the best out of all of them gets the damn title shot against your boy, Justin ‘The Highlight’ Gaethje,” Cejudo said.
The proposal would create a four-fighter shakeup at the top of the lightweight division, with two matchups potentially determining the next contender for Gaethje’s championship.
Lightweight Division Remains in Flux
Tsarukyan’s first-round knockout of Ruffy has strengthened his case for a title opportunity, while Topuria’s ongoing exchanges with Gaethje have kept the possibility of a rematch in the spotlight.
Pimblett would bring another established name into the proposed matchup, while Nurmagomedov’s potential move to the UFC adds further intrigue to Cejudo’s hypothetical scenario.
For now, Cejudo’s proposal remains a matchmaking idea rather than an announced UFC plan. The promotion’s next steps will determine how the lightweight title picture develops.
