Ilia Topuria is set to vacate his UFC Lightweight Title with his octagon return delayed to spring next year.
The undefeated MMA phenom was scheduled to defend his 155-pound belt at UFC 324 in January, but is now expected to vacate his belt instead.
Ilia Topuria Set To Vacate UFC Lightweight Title
Dominant MMA star Ilia Topuria is officially set to vacate his UFC Lightweight Title in a shocking move.
Topuria became UFC lightweight king after knocking out former champion and future Hall of Famer Charles Topuria inside one round of their UFC 317 main event back in June.
The 28-year-old looked set to make his first defence of the 155-pound belt early next year, with Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett confirmed for UFC 324 in January. However, it seems that is no longer the case.
Instead, the 17-0 unbeaten Spanish-Georgian MMA phenom will officially vacate his UFC Lightweight Title and fully relinquish his belt in a shocking move that has surprised everyone in the world of mixed martial arts.
Topuria has made it crystal clear in his career to date that he wants to create history, whether that be by becoming the first three-division UFC champion or breaking another record to solidify his position as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.
Whether this move from ‘El Matador’ means he is planning on moving up in weight once more remains to be seen. Topuria has made no secret of his desire to face Islam Makhachev, who is the latest two-weight UFC champion after winning the welterweight belt at UFC 322.
A move up to 170-pounds could well be on the cards for the Spaniard, as he attempts to become the first three-division UFC champion in history. Another potential avenue would be a fight with Makhachev in the new UFC 165-pound division, which has also been heavily rumoured.
🚨 Ilia Topuria is rumored to be vacating the lightweight title, & won’t return until spring 2026… He claims we’re going to be very surprised what happens with the #ufc lightweight division #iliatopuria #mma pic.twitter.com/IIPN6rIUuW
— West Till Death (@WestTillDeath) November 27, 2025
Ilia Topuria Return Delayed To Spring 2026 After Vacating Lightweight Belt
With Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett in doubt and looking highly unlikely it will ever happen, MMA fans are questioning what exactly will be next for ‘El Matador’.
If he is officially vacating his UFC Lightweight Title, then it seems logical that the reason for this is because he is moving up in weight once more. With that in mind, this means Topuria’s return has been delayed by a few months.
Originally the 28-year-old made no secret of his desire to headline UFC 324 in January in the first numbered card of the new Paramount+ broadcast deal, but that now seems out of the question.
Instead, it seems that Topuria’s return will be delayed until the spring, with a fight in March or April now seeming more likely for the 17-0 undefeated MMA star.
🚨 Ilia Topuria will NOT fight in January 2026, per @KOlmeneroMMA
"Things have changed a lot. There have been private situations, and you're going to be very surprised at what's going to happen in lightweight.
I can confirm that Ilia will not fight in January. February? I… pic.twitter.com/ruOeEjc4Fe
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 26, 2025
With Ramadan delaying Islam Makhachev’s next fight until April or May, this could well align perfectly for the pair to face each other. That is mere speculation at this moment in time, but isn’t out of the question.
Respected Spanish MMA journalist Alvaro Colmenero revealed this week that Topuria’s return will come in spring, with the lightweight picture springing a huge shock too:
“Things have changed a lot. There have been private situations, and you’re going to be very surprised at what’s going to happen at lightweight.
“I can confirm that Ilia will not fight in January. February? I doubt it a lot. If you ask me, I think Ilia will fight in spring,” concluded Colmenero.
Ilia Topuria is the second most followed UFC fighter on Instagram, so his return, whenever that may be, will be huge.
