Ilia Topuria Shares Timeline For UFC Return In 2026<\/p>\n
Topuria made it clear towards the end of last year that he would not feature as part of the UFC\u2019s plans to formally kick off its new deal with Paramount<\/a> in early 2026, but now the 28-year-old has at least informed fans that he intends to return in either late spring or early summer. <\/p>\n April-June<\/p>\n \u2014 Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) January 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n “April-June”<\/p>\n READ MORE: Possible Conor McGregor UFC White House opponent teases ‘very big’ fight announcement<\/a><\/p>\n A June return could would have Topuria closing in on a year out of action since he defeated Oliveira to win the lightweight title. Once \u201cEl Matador\u201d made it clear that he wouldn\u2019t be fighting in the first part of 2026, the UFC acted quickly to set up an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. <\/p>\n “El Matador” Plans To Face Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett Winner<\/p>\n The decision to create an interim lightweight title and also not include #1-ranked Arman Tsarukyan as part of the matchup was met with considerable skepticism by some fans<\/a>, but Gaethje vs. Pimblett is set to headline the first UFC event of the year when UFC 324 goes down at T-Mobile Arena next Saturday. <\/p>\n Paddy Pimblett (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Michael Chandler (not pictured) during UFC 314 at Kaseya Center. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The interim title bout will have an even brighter spotlight on it after Kayla Harrison withdrew from her co-main event superfight<\/a> with returning UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes, and Topuria followed up his initial update by saying that he fully intends to meet either Gaethje or Pimblett in a title unification bout upon his own return. <\/p>\n READ MORE: Ex-UFC champion ready for return fight after brutal loss to Alex Pereira<\/a><\/p>\n The winner between Paddy and Justin<\/p>\n \u2014 Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) January 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n “The winner between Paddy and Justin”<\/p>\n As noted by the fan that Topuria replied to, it looks like #1-ranked Tsarukyan is still on the outside looking in as far as the UFC\u2019s lightweight title picture goes. <\/p>\n Arman Tsarukyan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The 29-year-old was booked to meet then-Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev in rematch at UFC 311 but was forced out of the fight on weigh-in day due to injury, and UFC CEO Dana White still appears unwilling to give Tsarukyan another title shot <\/a>even after he submitted Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar. <\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC legend shares message of support for Xabi Alonso after shocking Real Madrid exit<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC fan favorite set to try and end losing streak in dangerous UFC Mexico fight<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC fans cry mismatch on reported next fight for undefeated KO machine<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Khamzat Chimaev calls out “scared” Alex Pereira for UFC White House fight<\/a><\/p>\n Stick with\u00a0MMAKnockout<\/a>\u00a0for more FREE coverage of the UFC and MMA.<\/p>\n Follow MMAKnockout on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>, and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Paddy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01kf6nvn94f6kan4fexn.jpg\" "\\"Paddy")
<\/p>\n![\"Arman](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01kf6nyf3krr8k53tgpy.jpg\" "\\"Arman")
<\/p>\n