UFC President Dana White has officially placed a timeline on Ilia Topuria’s return to the octagon, stating the former two-division champion will re-enter competition in early 2027. Speaking on the Jim Rome Show, White confirmed that the 29-year-old is currently back in training and that the promotion is actively working on finalizing his next bout. This update follows Topuria’s recent social media posts teasing his comeback, signaling that the Spanish fighter is preparing to reclaim his spot in the top tier of the promotion after a significant layoff.
‘El Matador’ targets early 2027 comeback as White hails lightweight division’s elite depth
Topuria’s absence stems from a stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June, where his corner threw in the towel following the fourth round. The defeat marked a rare setback for the former lightweight and bantamweight champion, who absorbed substantial damage during the contest. While White did not name a specific opponent for Topuria’s return, he emphasized the unprecedented depth of the current lightweight division, listing Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Paddy Pimblett, and Max Holloway as part of a “top 10” that consists entirely of “straight killers.”
An immediate rematch with Gaethje appears unlikely, as the American has previously rejected the idea and his future in the sport remains uncertain, with retirement rumors circulating. Among the contenders highlighted by White, only Charles Oliveira currently has a booked bout, leaving the field wide open for Topuria’s return. By targeting early 2027, the UFC allows Topuria ample time to recover and refine his game, ensuring he returns to a division that White describes as the “best and most bad-ass” in the organization.
Source: Yahoo Sports
