Overview
- UFC CEO Dana White said the promotion is working on Topuria’s return and is targeting early 2027, a timeline White gave on The Jim Rome Show that multiple outlets reported.
- Topuria says he will resume full contact training in January and is aiming to fight between April and June 2027, but he has not yet started hard sparring or rewatched the June loss to Justin Gaethje.
- The former two‑division champion publicly called out Paddy Pimblett and ran an Instagram poll that drew nearly one million votes and favored a rematch with Justin Gaethje, but Gaethje has repeatedly pushed back on an immediate rematch.
- Topuria revealed he suffered major facial and other injuries in the June fight, including fractures to both orbital bones, a broken septum and a broken foot, and he has said he may fight only two to three more times before considering retirement.
- How Topuria returns will shape the lightweight picture because contenders such as Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira and Paddy Pimblett are in line for big fights and the promotion has yet to finalize an opponent or whether Topuria will get an immediate title shot.