‘The champ is back’: Ilia Topuria Set for UFC Return After Recent Post
Ilia Topuria Set for UFC Return After Recent Post It appears that the UFC lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, could be close to a return to action. We haven’t seen the champion since he won the belt in June 2025. On that occasion, he brutally knocked out the former champion, Charles Oliveira, in ...
Ilia Topuria Set for UFC Return After Recent Post
It appears that the UFC lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, could be close to a return to action. We haven’t seen the champion since he won the belt in June 2025. On that occasion, he brutally knocked out the former champion, Charles Oliveira, in the first round on his 155lbs debut.
Ilia Topuria has been out of action since going through a difficult divorce, and he wanted to focus on his children throughout the divorce proceedings.
Since his step away from action, Topuria’s division has moved on considerably. UFC 324 saw an interim lightweight title contested between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. On that occasion, Gaethje dominated Pimblett to secure his second interim title and set up a future bout with Topuria.
After UFC 324, understandably, questions swirled as to when Topuria might return, and El Matador may have given us a hint… and it’s good news.
Ilia Topuria’s Post Suggests Return to Action is Close
Taking to Instagram, the champion posted several pictures of himself in the gym, including a video of him hitting pads, along with the caption ‘The champ is back’.
A specific return date is unknown, however, if Topuria is back in the gym training, we can assume it won’t be too far away. We know that his opponent will be Gaethje, however, many expect that to be a one-sided bout, with Topuria likely a heavy favourite when that bout is announced.
Let’s hope that Topuria has put his ‘outside of the octagon’ issues behind him and get back to what he does best – Fighting the best in the world.
