Ilia Topuria is hinting at a comeback this spring, aiming to face the winner of the highly anticipated showdown between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
It seems that Topuria won't be sidelined for an extended period after all. In November, he made a public announcement stating his decision to step back from mixed martial arts (MMA) in order to address some personal matters he has been facing. Consequently, the UFC arranged for Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett to clash for an interim lightweight title during the main event of UFC 324, which is scheduled for next week. While many have speculated about Topuria's return, particularly to unify the titles later this year, it appears that "El Matador" has confirmed those hopes.
On Friday, Topuria took to social media, expressing his ambition to capture the Knockout of the Year award in 2026. This statement raised eyebrows, especially considering he currently lacks a defined timeline for his return. However, he quickly clarified that he is aiming for a comeback in the spring, specifically planning to defend his title against the interim lightweight champion, whoever that may be.
"April-June," Topuria commented regarding his target timeframe. "The winner between Paddy and Justin."
If everything goes according to plan, this timing could align perfectly with the UFC White House event, which is set to take place in June. Topuria has already shown a keen interest in competing at this event, making his return there a plausible scenario. Yet, Topuria also has his sights set on a bout with welterweight champion Islam Makhachev—a matchup he has been eager for over the past year. Should that opportunity arise, Topuria expressed confidence in his chances.
"Not even in his dreams," Topuria retorted to a comment suggesting Makhachev might submit him. "He’s bad even at dreaming."
Amidst all this excitement, one fighter who seems to be overlooked is top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan. Many argue that Tsarukyan has one of the strongest claims to a lightweight title shot, yet he doesn't appear to be on the verge of receiving one. When asked about Tsarukyan, Topuria succinctly summed up his thoughts in one word:
"Easy."
But here's where it gets controversial—should Tsarukyan really be in line for a title shot, or is Topuria's bold confidence justified? What do you think? Share your opinions below!
