\u201cEl Matador\u201d has firmly established himself as one of the biggest stars on the UFC roster, but he unfortunately won\u2019t be fighting during the early part of 2026 <\/a>due to some ongoing issues in his personal life. <\/p>\n Ilia Topuria Shows Off Hand Speed During Ongoing UFC Layoff<\/p>\n He may not have a fight lined up, but Topuria is clearly staying in shape during his layoff and recently posted an Instagram story<\/a> of himself working on his boxing in the gym. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC Champion Petr Yan targets Sean O’Malley rematch for major UFC event in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Ilia looking sharp \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/GMLrRZNEGt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) December 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n An underrated grappler, it\u2019s Topuria\u2019s hands and incredible knockout power that have helped him become a massive name in the world of combat sports. After winning three of his first six UFC bouts via KO\/TKO, the 28-year-old has knocked out three-straight UFC legends in Alexander Volkanovski<\/a>, Max Holloway, and former lightweight titleholder Oliveira. <\/p>\n Interim Lightweight Belt Up For Grabs At UFC 324<\/p>\n Fans are certainly clamoring for Topuria to return to the cage and put his undefeated record on the line once again, but the UFC has already accounted for the champion\u2019s ongoing layoff by booking an interim lightweight title fight<\/a> at UFC 324. <\/p>\n Justin Gaethje (red gloves) fights Rafael Fiziev (blue gloves) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Set to kick off both the UFC\u2019s 2026 schedule and the promotion\u2019s new deal with Paramount<\/a>, UFC 324 will see former interim lightweight titleholder Justin Gaethje attempt to reclaim that belt and secure an undisputed title shot once again when he takes on Paddy Pimblett. <\/p>\n READ MORE: UFC Champion Tom Aspinall shares grim medical update on eye injuries<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe Baddy\u201d is undefeated since joining the UFC in 2021, and he most recently defeated former Bellator Champion Michael Chandler via TKO in his only outing of 2025. <\/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 Whoever walks away from UFC 324 with the interim lightweight belt will presumably be next in line to face Topuria upon his return, but Oliveira and Holloway will also try and make their respective cases for a second crack at \u201cEl Matador\u201d when the pair meet in a rematch of their own at UFC 326<\/a> in March. <\/p>\n More MMA Knockout News<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0UFC star signs off on new fight offer just days after withdrawing from UFC 326<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Oktagon MMA double-champ runs through top heavyweight that left UFC on win streak<\/a> <\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Islam Makhachev reveals timetable for first UFC welterweight title defense in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0MMA veteran that was never knocked out in the UFC suffers brutal KO loss<\/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![\"Justin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kdnmdhx69tnhx5mgvq.jpg\" "\\"Justin")
<\/p>\n![\"Paddy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kdnm64paj8rk4mszfa.jpg\" "\\"Paddy")
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