Topuria, the former UFC featherweight champion and reigning lightweight champion, has taken a break from competing as he deals with some personal issues outside the cage. These issues involve custody of his daughter, leading some fans to worry that he could be out of action for the long term. However, the champion has revealed that he hopes to fight again in the spring or summer.
Topuria shared his comeback plans with Marca reporter Irati Prat. He noted that the time frame depends on whether everything goes according to plan, presumably regarding his family issues.
🚨 Ilia Topuria is aiming for a return in late spring/summer 2026, if all goes according to plan 👀
(via @IratiPratSC, @marking) pic.twitter.com/Glj6XZW6f2
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 9, 2026
Ilia Topuria’s incredible performance in the UFC
Ilia Topuria has an undefeated record of 17-0. He is currently riding perhaps the best three-fight win streak in UFC history. In his last fight, he defeated Brazilian legend Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight belt. Before that, he became the first man to defeat featherweight legend Max Holloway and defend that division’s title. In the fight before that, he claimed the featherweight title with a stunning knockout of another legend, Alexander Volkanovski. Over the past year, he has battled with Islam Makhachev for the UFC’s top spot.
If Topuria returns this spring or summer as he plans, his opponent will most likely be the winner of an upcoming fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje. The pair will meet for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24. However, Arman Tsarukyan is also an option.
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