Ilia Topuria: The Man Who Could Kickstart the New UFC on Paramount Era
The UFC's new era is set to begin in 2026, and the excitement is building. With a $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, the UFC is looking to make a splash. But who will be the star to headline the first big card?
Dana White, the UFC CEO, is already planning, stating, 'Matchmaking was today, and we started working on the first Paramount card today.'
The lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, is a strong contender. He's not yet booked, and fans are wondering if he'll be the headliner. White teases, 'It's a possibility.'
However, the UFC also wants to honor its past. Merab Dvalishvili, a Georgian fighter, will end the ESPN era with a bang. He'll defend his bantamweight title for the fourth time against Petr Yan at UFC 323, the final PPV event on ESPN.
White emphasizes, 'We want to put on a badass last card for them.'
The new era promises exciting possibilities, but it's clear the UFC is also looking back with gratitude. Will Topuria be the one to kick things off? The speculation continues as the UFC prepares for its next chapter.
