Former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, who also held gold at 145 pounds, is expected to make his MMA return at some point in early 2027, though it’s not yet known where “El Matador” will fit into the current lightweight title picture, which hinges on this decision (as well as a few others).
“I returned to where it all began,” Topuria wrote under pictures of the Didgori Battle Memorial on Mount Didgori in Georgia. “Not to reminisce, but to remember. The Matador is coming back.”
Topuria (17-1)
is targeting one of these two lightweight matchups.
The 29-year-old lightweight is coming off the first defeat of his professional career, which came at the hands of 155-pound smashing machine Justin Gaethje atop UFC White House back in June. The loss returned significant facial damage for “El Matador” but judging by his latest bath of photos, it appears the former champ is all patched up and ready to go.
Time to settle this grudge match?
