Ilia Topuria’s UFC return is gaining momentum with each passing day. A couple of days ago, the former two-division champion visited his native Georgia, giving fans a glimpse of his recovery. More recently, he stopped by the iconic Didgori Battle Memorial on Mount Didgori, a site that symbolizes Georgian resilience and victory.
Amid all this, Dana White also provided an important update on Topuria’s status, confirming that the Spaniard is expected to be ready to return in the first quarter of 2027. With contenders like Paddy Pimblett and Arman Tsarukyan, along with reigning champion Justin Gaethje, in the mix, it will be interesting to see what’s next for “El Matador.”
“He’ll be back in ’27. We’re working on that too.”
@DanaWhite confirms Ilia Topuria’s return to #UFC will happen next year. https://t.co/tbRDbrnMo4
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) November 4, 2026
However, Topuria recently sat down for his first exclusive interview since his loss to Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026. In a preview clip released by ABC Diario on Thursday, fans got a glimpse of the Spaniard’s mindset after suffering the first defeat of his professional career and falling to 17-1.
He said, “I’ve been in the worst situation a fighter can possibly be in. I’ve experienced the worst day of my career. What’s worse than that? Dying?”
Topuria also opened up about the psychological impact of the defeat, admitting that he had spent months questioning what went wrong.
“Was something off is a question I’ve had to face over the last five or six months, but one thing is clear: you either win, or you lose; and I lost. If I wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and it was like, ‘No, no, no, no, no, this is not me.”
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This isn’t the first time Topuria has opened up about the loss. Back in September, he took to social media to reflect on the devastating defeat in a short video essay addressed to his son, Hugo.
He offered an even deeper look into his experience following his first MMA defeat. The former double champion published a lengthy nine-part piece titled “This Is Me” on his website, taking readers through his entire journey in the sport.
Topuria candidly revealed that he struggled to recognize his own face when he looked in the mirror the morning after his fight with Gaethje. He also disclosed that he suffered fractures to both orbital bones, a broken septum, and a broken foot during their brutal back-and-forth encounter.
Of course, Topuria was eventually forced to retire on his stool at the end of the fourth round against Gaethje at the White House. Now, with his return potentially just months away, the big question is whether “El Matador” can rediscover the confidence that made him one of the UFC’s most feared fighters.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
