Ilia Topuria to Focus on Personal Life, Won’t Fight Early 2026

Las Vegas, NV – UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria announced Thursday he will not compete in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal challenges. Topuria, who made the announcement through a social media post, said, ‘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.’

The 28-year-old fighter holds a perfect 17-0 record in his professional MMA career. Topuria won the UFC lightweight championship in June 2025, defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Previously, he held the UFC featherweight title, which he won from Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in late 2024.

Topuria vacated the featherweight title after a successful defense against Max Holloway in October 2024. He moved to the lightweight division, quickly asserting himself with a decisive knockout of Oliveira. Currently, Topuria ranks as the No. 2 fighter in the UFC, just behind Islam Makhachev.

With Topuria out for several months, fighters like Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Paddy Pimblett could fight for the interim lightweight title. Tsarukyan earned his contender status following a victory over Dan Hooker the previous weekend.

Meanwhile, UFC is gearing up for its debut on Paramount+ with UFC 324 set for January 24, 2026, in Las Vegas. The event features two title fights, including Justin Gaethje versus Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title. This partnership with Paramount+ marks a new era for UFC, removing the traditional pay-per-view model.

UFC President Dana White expressed excitement about the upcoming events, noting that UFC 324 will showcase six champions and legendary fighters. ‘This card is absolutely stacked – every fight is a must-see,’ he said.