Ilia Topuria taking extended break, interim title | MMA News
UFC light-weight champion Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight title to transfer up to the 155-pound weight class at UFC 317 last June. He confronted former titleholder Charles Oliveira in the struggle card’s main event and viciously knocked the Brazilian out in the first spherical to seize the light-weight crown.
With the win, “El Matador” grew to become a two-division UFC champion but he will not be defending the belt anytime soon.
“I won’t be fighting in the first quarter of next year. I’m going through a difficult moment in my personal life. I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as soon as possible,” Topuria wrote on X.
“I don’t want to hold up the division. The UFC will make the matchups needed, and as soon as the matters are resolved I’ll let the UFC know I’m ready to begin my return.”
I received’t be preventing in the first quarter of next 12 months. I’m going through a troublesome second in my personal life. I need to focus on my youngsters and resolve this state of affairs as soon as potential.
I don’t need to maintain up the division. The UFC will make the matchups needed, and as soon…— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 27, 2025
While Topuria kinds out his personal state of affairs, the struggle promotion has opted to crown an interim champion in his absence. No. 4 ranked Justin Gaethje and No. 5 ranked Paddy Pimblett headline the UFC 324 struggle card on Jan. 24 with the interim strap on the road. The winner would presumably face the undefeated champion in a title unification bout next summer season.
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