Ilia Topuria is more focused than ever and has even bigger plans in 2026. Topuria is currently not in a fight because he is going through a divorce. The Georgian-Spaniard is expected to return to the octagon after the elections first quarter from 2026.
In 2025, ‘El Matador’ vacated his featherweight championship in pursuit of lightweight gold. Topuria moved up to lightweight in hopes of fighting then-155-pound champion Islam Makhachev. However, Makhachev left and moved up to welterweight.
Topuria then captured the vacant throne by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
After winning UFC 317, Topuria took on old rival Paddy Pimblett. There were rumors of ‘El Matador’ versus ‘The Baddy’ next. However, due to Topuria’s hiatus, the promotion announced an interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Pimblett, which will headline UFC 324.
The winner of the Gaethje vs. Pimblett fight will take on Topuria in a title unification bout later this year. ‘El Matador’ plans to defend his title next against Pimblett and then move up to fight Makhachev for a third title. He also wants to dethrone the Russian and retake the P4P throne.
Ilia Topuria’s message to fans on New Year’s Eve: “I will continue to do even greater things”
On New Year’s Eve, ‘El Matador’ shared a photo of himself holding both UFC titles, telling fans that he is more focused than ever in 2026 and that even bigger things are on the way. He posted:
“This year has been a journey full of great victories and also unexpected twists. Sometimes life pulls us out of the script we imagined, but it is in those twists that the most valuable lessons and the real surprises appear. I have learned with my family to value every second and never regret anything, because the best is always yet to come. And even though I have achieved a lot this year, I know that I am not yet at my best. I am more focused than ever. In 2026, I will continue to do even greater things. best is yet to be written.
Check out Ilia Topuria’s comments below:
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