UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria might be returning to the Octagon sooner than expected against the winner of the UFC 324 headliner.
Top UFC lightweight contenders Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will fight for the interim UFC lightweight title next weekend at UFC 324. Ilia Topuria, who won the then-vacant lineal lightweight belt last summer, is in the midst of an ongoing hiatus from competition due to issues away from the cage.
Pimblett recently called for Topuria to vacate the lightweight belt to help carry the division forward. Top contender Arman Tsarukyan, who was stripped of another title shot after a recent win over Dan Hooker, would be next in line for the Pimblett vs. Gaethje winner if an interim title defense is needed.
Topuria’s ongoing hiatus prompted speculation that he could vacate the title for a move up to welterweight to challenge newly-crowned champion Islam Makhachev. While Topuria envisions a future showdown with Makhachev, he isn’t slowing down in his pursuit of lightweight history.
For the first time since announcing his absence from competition, Topuria has provided a detailed update on when fans can expect him to return to the Octagon in 2026.
Ilia Topuria reveals his UFC return timeline ahead of UFC 324 interim title fight
In a pair of recent tweets, Topuria shared the most detailed return timeline since his UFC hiatus began.
“April-June,” Topuria responded.
“The winner between Paddy and Justin.”
This would leave Topuria’s soonest plans for return at UFC 327 in Miami. The card features the returns of Paulo Costa, Dominick Reyes, Tatiana Suarez and other top UFC names.
If Topuria returns in June, he could potentially return on the upcoming card on the White House lawn against the Pimblett vs. Gaethje winner. The card is expected to be finalized and announced in the coming weeks, with Conor McGregor and Jon Jones hoping for spots at the event.
