28-year-old Ilia Topuria’s rise to UFC stardom has been anything but conventional, and neither was his recently revealed break from competition. Addressing weeks of speculation surrounding his personal life, the Georgian-born Spaniard confirmed earlier this month that he would be stepping away from MMA, pushing back against what he described as “false narratives” tied to his turbulent marriage with Giorgina Uzcategui Badell.
Despite the uncertainty, Ilia Topuria, the UFC lightweight king quickly thrust himself back into the spotlight, launching a scathing verbal attack on rival Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev. In fact, Topuria even went so far as to threaten to submit the Dagestani marauder in front of his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
While that potential superfight reignited fan excitement, ongoing divorce rumors appeared to delay his return. Now, however, newly surfaced footage tells a different story, showing “El Matador” back in the gym, training alongside fellow Georgian powerhouse Merab Dvalishvili, apparently sharpening his blade for a mega fight against Makhachev.
With Ilia Topuria quietly ramping up his preparation, speculation is beginning to swirl once again, raising questions about whether a long-rumored champion-versus-champion showdown could be back on the table.
Has Ilia Topuria Forged Personal Turmoil Into Superfight Motivation Against Makhachev?
Paddy Pimblett will step into the spotlight for the biggest fight of his career on Jan. 25, when the Brit meets Justin Gaethje for the interim UFC lightweight title at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. The matchup follows champion Topuria’s decision to sit out the first quarter of 2026, citing personal reasons.
Ilia Topuria, the UFC Lightweight Champion, has been linked to a difficult divorce from his wife, Giorgina Uzcategui Badell, the mother of his two children. In late November, he confirmed that he would be sidelined while dealing with what he described as a “difficult moment” in his personal life.
He later revealed that he had faced severe pressure and alleged extortion attempts involving threats to spread false accusations, claims he has strongly denied, stating the matter is now in the hands of judicial authorities.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his personal situation, signs of Ilia Topuria’s return are starting to surface. Newly released footage shows him back in the gym with fellow Georgian standout Dvalishvili, engaging in what appears to be light sparring, fueling speculation that his hiatus from competition may soon come to an end.
Ilia Topuria sparring with Merab 👀
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 22, 2025
When Last We Saw Ilia Topuria…
Ilia Topuria last fought earlier this year in June, when he knocked out Charles Oliveira to capture the vacant lightweight title. With an interim belt set to be contested at UFC 324, his renewed training activity has reignited discussion about when and against whom the champion could make his long-awaited return.
Yet the 155-pounder has already teased that his comeback may not even be against the winner of Gaethje vs. Pimblett, leaving the lightweight landscape wide open and fans eagerly guessing his next opponent.
Furthermore, the Spaniard’s recent attacks were as calculated as they were fiery, sending a clear challenge to the newly crowned welterweight champion, Makhachev, and shaking up the division. By openly plotting a submission in front of Nurmagomedov, the undefeated champion is signaling his ambition to chase a rare third UFC title.
Should this fight come to fruition, Ilia Topuria would etch his name in UFC history as the first fighter to win belts in three different weight classes, a feat unmatched even by Conor McGregor, Henry Cejudo, or Demetrious Johnson.
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