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UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria vacated his featherweight title to move up to the 155-pound weight class at UFC 317 last June. He faced former titleholder Charles Oliveira in the fight card’s main event and viciously knocked the Brazilian out in the first round to capture the lightweight crown.
With the win, “El Matador” became a two-division UFC champion but he won’t be defending the belt anytime soon.
“I won’t be fighting in the first quarter of next year. I’m going through a difficult moment in my personal life. I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as soon as possible,” Topuria wrote on X.
“I don’t want to hold up the division. The UFC will make the matchups needed, and as soon as the matters are resolved I’ll let the UFC know I’m ready to begin my return.”
I won’t be fighting in the first quarter of next year. I’m going through a difficult moment in my personal life. I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as soon as possible.I don’t want to hold up the division. The UFC will make the matchups needed, and as soon…
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) November 27, 2025
While Topuria sorts out his personal situation, the fight promotion has opted to crown an interim champion in his absence. No. 4 ranked Justin Gaethje and No. 5 ranked Paddy Pimblett headline the UFC 324 fight card on Jan. 24 with the interim strap on the line. The winner would presumably face the undefeated champion in a title unification bout next summer.
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