Topuria reportedly set to face Parnasse at UFC 336 in January 2027

Ilia Topuria is reportedly set to meet Salahdine Parnasse in the co-main event of UFC 336 in January 2027. The pairing has not been officially confirmed.

The matchup is said to have come together after Paddy Pimblett suffered an injury in training, which reportedly forced a change of plans. Neither the UFC nor the fighters involved have verified the report.

Topuria: the lightweight number one

Topuria, nicknamed "El Matador," is 17-1-0 and ranked first in the lightweight division. He also sits at number one in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 29-year-old Spaniard trains out of Climent Club and fights from an orthodox stance.

He stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach. On the feet he lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He is also active on the mat, averaging 1.96 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

Parnasse: a ranked southpaw

Parnasse is 24-2-0 and holds the number nine spot at lightweight. The 28-year-old Frenchman fights out of Atch Academy as a southpaw. He is five-foot-ten with a 71-inch reach, giving him a three-inch height edge and a two-inch reach advantage over Topuria.

His striking numbers are notable. He lands 4.65 significant strikes per minute and connects at 70 percent accuracy. He has not recorded takedown or submission attempts.

Why it matters

• A Topuria fight against a top-ten opponent would add a high-profile bout to the UFC 336 co-main slot.
• The stylistic contrast is clear: Topuria mixes volume striking with grappling, while Parnasse relies on accurate southpaw striking.
• Parnasse would be stepping up against the division's top-ranked fighter, with a chance to move up the lightweight ladder.

Until the promotion makes an announcement, the bout remains a report rather than a finished card.