Reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who is on hiatus for personal reasons, recently shared his return timeline with fans.
During a Q&A with fans on X, a user asked ‘El Matador’:
“Hello, brother, when do you think you’ll fight again?”
Topuria replied, revealing that he is expected to deliver the octagon anytime between April and June.
“April-June”
In Topuria’s absence, Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will fight for the interim title at UFC 324 later this month. The winner of this fight is expected to fight the champion when he returns. During the same Q&A on
“The winner between Paddy and Justin”
Watch Ilia Topuria’s interaction with netizens below:
The promotion has no plans to strip ‘El Matador’ despite the inactivity, and recent reports suggest that if Topuria’s return is further delayed, the promotion could see the future interim lightweight champion make one defense of the title.
Topuria plans to fight the winner of the UFC 324 headliner, raise his hand and move up in the hunt for three-division glory. At 170 pounds, champion Islam Makhachev sits as a hot and highly anticipated challenge for the Georgian Spaniard.
Makhachev’s camp has also expressed interest in a superfight with the 28-year-old. However, the P4P king does not want to drop down to 155 pounds and recently reaffirmed that he is only open to ‘El Matador’ if he chooses to move up.
Ilia Topuria rejects the submission speech on Islam Makhachev
During the same Q&A session, a fan made a lighthearted joke to Ilia Topuria, suggesting that Islam Makhachev would submit “El Matador” if the two ever hooked up. The Georgian-Spaniard was not impressed as he is confident in his abilities both on the feet and on the mat. Topuria dismissed the fan’s claim and made it clear that he does not believe Makhachev could submit him.
“Not even in his dreams. Even in dreams he is evil.”
Check out Ilia Topuria’s comments below:
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