Ilia Topuria News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 10, 2026

A longtime UFC analyst and coach won’t write off Justin Gaethje entirely ahead of his inevitable title unification bout with Ilia Topuria. Gaethje became a two-time interim UFC Lightweight Champion when he defeated Paddy Pimblett in the UFC 324 main event. “The Highlight” was a slight underdog going into the bout, but he ultimately battered “The Baddy” on his way to a unanimous decision win.

Curtis Calhoun - February 6, 2026

UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre believes Ilia Topuria will end his fighting career as the greatest fighter to ever compete in the cage. Georges St-Pierre makes a strong case as the UFC’s greatest fighter of all-time, after a legendary career that featured two world title wins. St-Pierre walked away after winning the UFC middleweight championship over Michael Bisping at UFC 217.

Harry Kettle - February 6, 2026

Justin Gaethje has looked ahead to a possible UFC White House clash between himself and Ilia Topuria this summer. Last month, Justin Gaethje became the UFC interim lightweight champion for the second time in his career. He defeated Paddy Pimblett in a bout that proved to be pretty one sided in the end, as he reminded the masses why he’s one of the scariest lightweights to ever pull on a pair of gloves in the UFC.

Harry Kettle - February 5, 2026

MMA veteran Michael Chandler has explained why Ilia Topuria is a tall task for Justin Gaethje to overcome. As we know, Ilia Topuria is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, and Justin Gaethje is the interim champion after defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324. So, it makes sense that the two will probably square off at some point later this year.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 1, 2026

Jean Silva has made it clear that he’s going after Alexander Volkanovski and the UFC Featherweight Championship. Silva was paying attention to Saturday’s UFC 325 card, which was held in Sydney. The main event featured a 145-pound title rematch between Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. For the second time, “The Great” scored a unanimous decision victory over Lopes.

BJ Penn Staff - January 28, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan is determined to fight Ilia Topuria in the UFC—so much so that he’s willing to buy his rival’s house. Spain’s Topuria is the reigning undisputed UFC lightweight champion. He won the division’s vacant belt with a quick KO of Charles Oliveira last year. However, he has not fought since, having been sidelined by some personal issues—notably a high-profile divorce.

Curtis Calhoun - January 27, 2026

Former BMF champion Jorge Masvidal believes Justin Gaethje proved he lacks a sufficient chance to defeat Ilia Topuria after UFC 324. Justin Gaethje reclaimed the interim UFC lightweight title by outpointing Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 last Saturday in Las Vegas. In a five-round instant classic, Gaethje handed Pimblett his first UFC defeat, outpointing the fellow fan favorite by unanimous decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 25, 2026

Ilia Topuria was watching the UFC 324 main event, and he was not impressed by Paddy Pimblett’s efforts. Pimblett shared the Octagon with Justin Gaethje for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship. The interim title fight was booked when Topuria went on hiatus to deal with a situation at home. While many thought it would be “The Baddy’s” night, Gaethje ended up scoring a unanimous decision victory.

Curtis Calhoun - January 16, 2026

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria might be returning to the Octagon sooner than expected against the winner of the UFC 324 headliner. Top UFC lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will fight for the interim UFC lightweight title next weekend at UFC 324. Ilia Topuria, who won the then-vacant lineal lightweight belt last summer, is in the midst of an ongoing hiatus from competition due to issues away from the cage.

Curtis Calhoun - January 15, 2026

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev believes a fight with Ilia Topuria will happen sooner rather than later, but only on his terms. Islam Makhachev is plotting his first welterweight title defense after winning the belt over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November. Makhachev fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a two-division world champion by delivering another dominant performance against Maddalena and knocking the titleholder off his throne.

BJ Penn Staff - January 9, 2026

UFC champ Ilia Topuria won’t be out of our lives for long. Topuria, the former UFC featherweight champ and reigning lightweight champ, has been taking a hiatus from competition as he deals with some personal issues outside the cage. Those issues involve the custody of his daughter, which had some fans worried he could be out of action long-term. However, the champ has revealed he hopes to fight again as soon as spring or summer.

Cole Shelton - January 5, 2026

Paddy Pimblett would like to see Ilia Topuria vacate his title amid his ongoing personal issues. Topuria announced he’ll take some time off amid his divorce and his ex accusing him of domestic abuse. Given it’s unclear how long Topuria will be out, Pimblett believes he should vacate the belt to allow the division to move on. Topuria would also get a title shot when he returns.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 28, 2025

Islam Makhachev believes it’s only a matter of time before he has a confrontation with Ilia Topuria. Topuria recently told eldoberdanMMA that he thinks Makhachev and his team are “cocky and arrogant.” He expressed his desire to submit Makhachev in front of Khabib Nurmagomedov. Topuria took things a step further and dared Nurmagomedov to end his retirement before claiming he would step on “The Eagle’s” head.

Curtis Calhoun - December 22, 2025

Ilia Topuria’s recent interviews drew the attention of former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s team amidst his absence. UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s timeline for his first title defense remains uncertain, as he navigates personal issues outside the Octagon. UFC 324 is headlined by an interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett next month, amidst Topuria’s ongoing hiatus.

Curtis Calhoun - December 22, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and top contender Arman Tsarukyan continue to go at it from afar. Ilia Topuria’s first lightweight title defense hit an indefinite delay as the champion deals with personal issues outside of the Octagon. Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will fight for the interim lightweight title next month at UFC 324 for the right to welcome Topuria back to the cage.

Harry Kettle - December 22, 2025

Ilia Topuria has discussed his submission prowess and how he could use it in a possible showdown against Islam Makhachev. Right now, Ilia Topuria is the UFC lightweight champion. At UFC 324, he will be watching closely as Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett collide for the interim UFC lightweight championship, with the winner going on to face ‘El Matador’ for the undisputed belt at some point later in 2026.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2025

One well-known analyst has shifted his opinion on Ilia Topuria’s status as the UFC Lightweight Champion. Topuria might be holding the main 155-pound title, but he will not be featured in the next lightweight championship bout. Instead, Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will be fighting for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship on Jan. 24. The bout will headline UFC 324, which will be UFC’s debut event on Paramount+.

Curtis Calhoun - December 15, 2025

One of the UFC’s hottest feuds might be concluding, with recent remarks by Ilia Topuria about Paddy Pimblett. Ilia Topuria’s ongoing hiatus from competition resulted in the UFC booking an interim lightweight title fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 next month. As Topuria deals with issues away from the Octagon, Pimblett and Gaethje will fight to face Topuria in the undisputed lightweight titleholder’s return to the Octagon.