Michael Chandler had high praise for UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) awaits his first title defense, which could come against either Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, or the winner of the UFC Fight Night 265 headliner between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker in Qatar.
Former title challenger Chandler was asked who he thinks it will be.
“I’ve already gone on record and said Gaethje,” Chandler said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “But ultimately, there’s a lot of different arguments you can make. Paddy has never had a title shot. Paddy is newer. Justin Gaethje has proven himself against the toughest guys in the world.
“Fight after fight is Fight of the Night, Fight of the Year, but he has had a couple of title shots, a couple of opportunities here and there. So it’s a tough one. … I’d like to see it go to Gaethje, but then again, I would not be surprised whatsoever if it’s Paddy vs. Ilia.”
Regardless of who’s next for Topuria, Chandler doesn’t see any of the top contenders beating him. “El Matador” is already a two-division UFC champion with knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.
“No, I think Ilia Topuria is the most skilled guy in mixed martial arts on the planet,” Chandler said. “Him and Alex Pereira are just absolute monsters, but I think Ilia’s got the edge in that one.”
