A UFC Hall of Famer has shared his thoughts on whether lightweight champion Ilia Topuria should be stripped due to inactivity due to personal reasons.
Topuria does announced a break of the battle and will not return until the first quarter of 2026. In the meantime, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will battle for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324, with the winner fighting ‘El Matador’ upon his return.
Earlier this week, Ilia Topuria posted another statement on social media, telling his followers that he was accused of domestic violence. In this statement, he added that he would not provide any further updates at this crucial time.
Due to Topuria’s looming legal challenges, the MMA community has assumed that his return will be more delayed than expected.
Chael Sonnen recently appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show and was asked by the host if he thinks the Georgian-Spaniard should be stripped due to inactivity for personal reasons, and not because the champion is injured and unable to compete. Sonnen was also asked whether the UFC 324 headliner between Gaethje and Pimblett should now go for the undisputed title.
During the show, Sonnen revealed that he spoke to a “person of significance” at the UFC who told him that Topuria wouldn’t be stripped if he had to miss fights due to illness or injury, but since he isn’t, he should be. The 48-year-old said:
“I’m going to dance. I’m going to do a little bit of tiptoeing, but I was at the Apex a week ago. I had a conversation with a very significant person in the industry, and that was the first person who ever suggested me to strip Ilia. And I was a bit surprised by it… Their argument was that the interim band is for those who are dealing with an illness or an injury… The moment Ilia informs us that he is missing matches for something that falls outside the criteria of illness or injury, then that the moment you strip him off… I thought it was very cold.’
Check out Chael Sonnen’s comments below:
Chael Sonnen personally doesn’t want Ilia Topuria to be undressed
During the same interview with Ariel Helwani, Chael Sonnen added that he personally does not want the UFC to take the championship from Ilia Topuria. Sonnen considers the Georgian-Spaniard innocent and is on his side.
The UFC Hall of Famer also proposed the idea that Ilia Topuria, like many, can provide a medical report and claim to be injured, no matter how false the report may be. Sonnen added:
“I don’t want him to be stripped naked. I’m on Ilia’s side. I don’t really like what he’s going through. I think he shared more with us than necessary. I also think he’s innocent. He seems like a good guy. I really don’t think he would have done those things. But yeah, they have to strip him naked. If he doesn’t claim he’s hurt… he needs to be stripped naked.”
#UFC #Hall #Famer #weighs #Ilia #Topuria #stripped #lightweight #title