Ilia Topuria has never been one to follow the crowd. After climbing the UFC ladder and claiming championship gold, “El Matador” is now stepping into a different kind of arena. In a bold and ambitious move, Topuria has officially launched his fighting promotion, aiming to give back to the sport that shaped him while elevating new talent along the way. The promotion, which will reportedly be based in Spain and cater to fighters across Europe, is more than just a vanity project.

For Topuria, it’s a personal mission. “I know how hard the journey is,” he said in a recent interview. “I want to create opportunities for fighters who are hungry, talented, and often overlooked.” With Topuria’s growing influence and star power, the venture is already drawing serious attention in the MMA world. Early plans suggest that the promotion will mix rising European prospects with established veterans to ensure high-quality matchups. Topuria also hinted at incorporating entertainment and culture into the fight night experience, blending combat with Spanish flair and international appeal.

Such is the attention that fighters are now choosing WOW ( Way of Warrior FC) over the UFC. Yes, you read that right. One of the fighters who has rejected the offer to join the UFC is Spanish fighter Darwin Rodríguez. In a recent post shared by Pelunation on X, fans were informed about the news. The tweet read as, “As Darwin Rodríguez commented yesterday on @ZonaLoverTV ‘s program, the UFC called him a couple of days ago to fight in the DWCS against an Uzbek fighter, but he declined because he had already secured the title fight against Enoc Solves in WOW; he wants to go straight in #MMASpain”. 

However, let us now shift our focus to Ilia Topuria as the fighter. As many expected, Topuria emphatically seized the vacant lightweight title, demolishing Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. With that, a new king sits atop the division—but the story is far from over. Instead of bringing clarity, Topuria’s victory has only stirred up more uncertainty about who deserves the next crack at “El Matador.” And behind all the buzz, a deeper reason appears to be fueling the chaos. But what exactly is the reason? It seems Dan Hooker has the answer for you.

Dan Hooker points out why the UFC is keeping options open for Topuria’s next fight.

Right now, Ilia Topuria—Georgia and Spain’s proud champion—has a long line of contenders knocking at his door. The lightweight division is bursting with talent, and everyone wants a piece of “El Matador.” His heated rivalry with Paddy Pimblett still lingers, and Arman Tsarukyan continues to campaign for a title shot. Even Justin Gaethje has gone so far as to hint at retirement if he’s passed over. But amid all the noise, one question looms: Is the UFC hurting itself by not having a clear No.1 contender? According to Dan Hooker, that uncertainty might be doing more damage than expected, and his take is beginning to turn some heads.

It’s no exaggeration to call Dana White one of the savviest operators in the business world. Under his watch, the UFC has exploded into a $12 billion empire—much of it built on his knack for navigating high-stakes negotiations. Now, Dan Hooker is backing that reputation, pointing to the way the UFC has managed the chaotic lightweight title picture. According to “The Hangman,” the apparent confusion isn’t accidental—it’s a calculated move. In his view, the UFC is deliberately keeping things fluid to maintain leverage in negotiations with the division’s top contenders. While speaking on ‘The Submission Radio’ show, Hooker made some serious claims.

He said, “So the UFC always sets up their title picture with three fighters who could realistically justify a title shot. Because if they only have one guy and he starts playing hardball, they’re stuck. But if they’ve got options, they can go to the second guy, the third guy, and even circle back to the first. At the end of the day, it’s a business, and they’ll go with whatever makes the most dollars.” To be fair, Hooker makes a compelling argument. But there’s no denying that the UFC will eventually have to make a decision. The lightweight division is too stacked—and too important—to sit in limbo for long. Who do you think the champion will be facing next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.