“El Matador” is ready to return.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has been sidelined since suffering his first professional loss against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 this past June (watch highlights).
Topuria entered the historic White House event as a sizeable betting favorite but endured a prolonged beating before his corner stopped the fight ahead of the fifth round. The 29-year-old suffered fractures to both orbital bones, along with injuries to his nose
and foot.
Initial reports suggested the damage would keep Topuria out of action until 2027. However, his strength and conditioning coach, Jesus Gallo, later revealed that “El Matador” was recovering faster than expected and could potentially be ready before the end of 2026.
According to UFC CEO Dana White, Topuria is now prepared to begin plotting his comeback.
“Our guys are always in touch with him — we don’t have him on the schedule right now, but Topuria is ready to fight, and we’re ready for him,” White told Jim Rome.
Rome then asked what’s more likely: a rematch with Gaethje or a massive fight with rival Paddy Pimblett.
“Both sound good to me,” White said. “They’re both great. We don’t lose with either one of those fights. They are both great fights; I don’t know. Obviously the rematch with Gaethje is incredible. A Paddy Pimblett fight is amazing — as bad as those two hate each other.”
A long-awaited grudge match with Pimblett certainly makes sense. The Lightweight rivals have traded insults for years, famously clashing at a fighter hotel in 2022 before nearly coming to blows again following Topuria’s title win at UFC 317.
An immediate championship rematch with Gaethje, however, makes considerably less sense.
Topuria did not have a successful Lightweight title defense before losing the belt, and the first fight was not remotely controversial. Gaethje battered the previously undefeated champion for four rounds and has already insisted Topuria must earn another title shot, arguing that Arman Tsarukyan is more deserving.
Nevertheless, UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik recently revealed that he believes the promotion is seriously considering booking the rematch. White’s latest comments suggest that option is indeed on the table—whether Gaethje likes it or not.
