Chael Sonnen explains why ex-UFC champ Ilia Topuria is unlikely to return to featherweight
The MMA community eagerly awaits Ilia Topuria's next fight as rumors swirl about who his comeback opponent could be.
Ilia Topuria is unlikely to make a comeback to the UFC featherweight division anytime soon, per a former UFC star-turned-analyst. The individual in question is retired MMA fighter Chael Sonnen.
Chael Sonnen suggests that Ilia Topuria has unfinished business in the UFC lightweight division
Ilia Topuria previously reigned as the UFC featherweight champion, vacating that title last year to capture the UFC lightweight title. The Georgian-Spaniard dropped the lightweight title in June of this year in what was his first MMA defeat. "El Matador" lost by way of round-four TKO to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, and he's now in hot pursuit of a title rematch against the American.
Taking to his official YouTube channel, former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight championship challenger Chael Sonnen has alluded to the speculation surrounding Topuria's next move.
The vast majority of fight fans foresee Topuria staying at lightweight. However, there are a few who've conjectured that he might drop down to featherweight to try to dethrone reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski, a fighter he'd dethroned back in 2024 to win the featherweight belt.
Sonnen disagreed with that hypothesis and suggested that no amount of financial or miscellaneous allure could make Topuria return to featherweight until he's redeemed himself by reclaiming the lightweight belt.
He stated, "It wouldn't matter what the opportunity or what the money. It wouldn't matter the danger. It wouldn't matter anything that a layman might think of."
Moreover, Sonnen added, "If Ilia ran into a problem at 155 (pounds), the own standard, by his own code that he will live and die by, he will stay at '55 until he solves that problem."
Ilia Topuria's MMA return looms large over the UFC lightweight title landscape
A number of fans and experts have been rather critical of Justin Gaethje, with many detractors slamming him for his supposed indecisiveness about his MMA future. Gaethje has yet to publicly confirm whether or not he'll retire or defend his UFC lightweight championship come 2027.
Meanwhile, top contenders such as Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett have been chomping at the bit for a title shot against Gaethje. Ilia Topuria, as of late, has added himself to the title mix -- what with his having healed from the facial injuries he'd sustained in his loss to Gaethje.
Topuria's presence has been looming large over the UFC lightweight division and is considered a significant factor in the 155-pound title picture. Chael Sonnen appeared to acknowledge the same and said:
"And the end of his (Ilia Topuria's) career might come, the end of time might come -- that idea might not work out. But he won't run. No chance. Could Ilia return to 145 (pounds)? Yes. After he captures the belt at '55."
Watch Chael Sonnen discuss Ilia Topuria's likelihood of staying at lightweight below (*comments at the 0:58-minute mark of the video):
