Topuria brings his archenemy closer
El Matador is keen to face an old foe in his first lightweight title defense.
The path is clearing. Although it’s still unknown exactly when or against whom Ilia Topuria will next fight, the fog is lifting. Dana White recently confirmed Topuria will not return to the Octagon this year, and the fighter himself now says a comeback in January 2026 is very likely.
Topuria signals January comeback
“It’s a possibility,” the UFC president said when announcing the promotion’s final card of the season. This Saturday, while in Georgia, Topuria backed that up himself. “It’s very possible,” the Hispano-Georgian told reporters when asked about a January return. At the same time, while names continue to circulate, he made his preference clear — Paddy Pimblett.
“Three possible opponents? Definitely Paddy — we have history. I think that’s the fight everyone wants to see, and I think everyone wants me to do something I can’t say out loud here. As for the others, I’d fight any of them,” Topuria said at a press conference in his country of birth. Pimblett wasted no time replying: ‘Paddy, why haven’t you signed the contract yet?’ the Brit posted on Instagram a few hours later, captioning a photo of himself with a mock-questioning expression and emojis aimed squarely at Topuria — whom Pimblett has long nicknamed “Hand Sanitizer Boy” after Topuria once threw a bottle of disinfectant.
A rivalry with history
Their rivalry stretches back through heated exchanges on social media and several physical confrontations. The most recent incident occurred after Topuria beat Charles Oliveira to win the lightweight title — an encounter that sparked an impromptu face-off in the Octagon. “I can’t wait to knock him out. That’s something I’ll really enjoy,” Topuria later said, after even shoving the Brit. Pimblett answered in kind: “Ilia told me in the Octagon he’s going to finish me, and he won’t. He knows he can’t knock me out. I’ll put that little prick in his place. I hate him. I wouldn’t even want to finish him quickly. I want to disfigure him.”
Other contenders remain in the mix
Beyond Pimblett, other names orbit Topuria’s future plans. The most frequently mentioned is Islam Makhachev — a matchup Topuria reportedly wants for the White House card on June 14, 2026, with the aim of becoming a three-division champion. Topuria argues the path depends on title defenses, pointing to how the UFC handled his previous jump in divisions after wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. He believes the same formula could apply again.
Veteran options being explored
As an alternative to Pimblett, Justin Gaethje’s camp offered Gaethje as a potential opponent this week; the veteran would view a bout with Topuria as a fitting way to cap his long career at age 36. For now, the dance of options continues — and the fight calendar will decide which steps come next.
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