Ilia Topuria appeared to be gearing up for a UFC return when he released a recent promo video in which he wrote a letter to his son.
Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the suspicions and revealed both the UFC and Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) are gearing up for his return.
"Topuria's ready to fight," White said Wednesday on The Jim Rome Show. "We're ready for him."
Belt or no belt, Topuria remains one of the UFC's biggest stars and top lightweight fighters. Though he was beaten down in shocking fashion at the hands of Justin Gaethje in the UFC Freedom 250 headliner in June, it's possible an immediate rematch is in store. It's also possible a highly-anticipated grudge match with Paddy Pimblett may finally materialize.
White indicated no decisions
have been made yet, but acknowledge both are excellent options.
"Both sound good to me," White said. "They're both great. We don't lose with either one of those fights. They're both great fights. I don't know. Listen, anything I say on this show, there's going to be 100 of these goofy Instagram guys like, 'Dana White just announced Paddy Pimblett.' They're both great. We don't have anything set. ... I don't really have the answer to that question (of who Topuria is fighting). Obviously the rematch with Gaethje is incredible. And a Paddy Pimblett fight is amazing. As bad as those two hate each other."
Topuria's loss to Gaethje was the first in 18 professional bouts. He entered the fight having defeated Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in succession – all by TKO.
Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) finally earned gold in his third attempt when he retired Topuria to the stool between Round 4 and Round 5. The win was his third in a row after victories over Rafael Fiziev and Pimblett. Gaethje had grappled with the idea of retirement prior to the bout, but has indicated he'll keep competing given the outcome.
Pimblett (24-4 MMA, 8-1 UFC) and Topuria have engaged in a vicious rivalry since 2022. Pimblett made online comments about Topuria's home country of Georgia, resulting in a near-physical altercation months later in London at a UFC fight week host hotel. Both fighters have increased star power 10-fold since then, making for what could be a mega-fight for the promotion.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dana White indicates Ilia Topuria return nearing – and there are two 'great' options
