One of the UFC’s biggest stars may be on hiatus but not for long. UFC lightweight standout Ilia Topuria revealed Friday on X that he plans to return to the Octagon between April and June, and he already has his sights set on championship gold. Specifically, Topuria wants the winner of the interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324 between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
The interim belt will be on the line when Gaethje and Pimblett headline UFC 324 on Jan. 24, with the winner potentially setting up a massive unification bout later this year.
While outlining his return plans, Topuria also took time to address and dismiss critics online. Responding to an anonymous user who suggested reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev would submit him if they ever fought, Topuria didn’t mince words.
“Not even in his dreams,” Topuria wrote. “He’s bad even at dreaming.”
Topuria also took aim at another top lightweight contender, telling a separate commenter that he would knock out Arman Tsarukyan “easy,” continuing a growing trend of confidence and confrontation from the undefeated star.
Hiatus Rooted in Personal Turmoil
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC), 28, has been absent from competition in recent months due to personal issues stemming from a divorce and allegations of domestic abuse. The UFC elected to create an interim lightweight title fight in his absence, paving the way for Gaethje vs. Pimblett at UFC 324.
Despite the time away, Topuria has made it clear he has no intention of being sidelined for long and wants to reassert his dominance immediately upon return.
From Featherweight King to Global Superstar
Topuria’s rapid ascent has been one of the most remarkable runs in recent UFC history. A former UFC featherweight champion, Topuria vacated the 145-pound title and immediately captured lightweight gold with a stunning knockout victory over Charles Oliveira in June. The move cemented him as a two-division champion and elevated him into global stardom particularly in Spain, where he has become a national sports icon.
Now, with a return window set and championship targets identified, Topuria appears ready to remind the division and the UFC exactly who sits at the top. If his timeline holds, the winner of Gaethje vs. Pimblett won’t just leave UFC 324 with interim gold they’ll be staring straight down the barrel of Ilia Topuria’s return.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
