Ilia Topuria targets UFC return by mid-2027 after loss recovery
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 7, 2026, 1:30 AM
Last updated Nov 7, 2026
Ilia Topuria plans to return to the UFC by April, May, or June 2027. After suffering a loss five months ago, he has focused on a training reset and expects to resume full training by January. Topuria mentioned options for his next fight against notable opponents like Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, and Paddy Pimblett. He emphasized that his defeat increased his motivation to compete.
- •Topuria's full training starts in January 2027.
- •Expectations set for a return fight in early summer 2027.
- •Topuria considers rematches and fights against top contenders as possible next steps.
- •He expresses increased motivation following his recent loss.
- 1:30 AMYahoo Sports — Ilia Topuria reveals targeted UFC return timeline: 'The fire is bigger'
"Ilia Topuria says the fire has never burned stronger than ahead of his UFC return.
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