Ilia Topuria vacates title, steps away from UFC until 2026

Double-division UFC champion Ilia Topuria has confirmed he will vacate his title and step away from competition, ending widespread anticipation surrounding a potential defense against top contenders such as Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett.

The Georgian-Spanish star, who became a two-weight belt holder in historic fashion, announced via social media that he will not be available to compete in the first quarter of 2026. He attributed the decision to ongoing personal matters that require his full attention.

“I won’t be fighting in the first quarter of next year. I’m going through a difficult moment in my personal life,” Topuria wrote.
“I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as soon as possible.”

The news comes amid rising speculation surrounding Topuria’s personal life. Fans noticed in recent weeks that most photos of his wife, Giorgina Uzcategui Badell, had vanished from his Instagram feed, leaving only a single post featuring her. Observers noted that Giorgina also removed numerous photos of Topuria from her own account, fueling rumours of a possible separation. Neither has publicly addressed their relationship status, and Topuria’s statement has focused strictly on his family and personal responsibilities.

Also read: Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria: Are We On the Brink of a Superfight?

Despite stepping away, Topuria emphasized that he does not intend to slow down the sport. He confirmed that he will vacate his title to allow the division to progress in his absence.

“I don’t want to hold up the division,” he stated. “The UFC will make the matchups needed, and as soon as the matters are resolved I’ll let the UFC know I’m ready to begin my return.”

His departure leaves the lightweight field wide open and already buzzing with potential contenders. Justin Gaethje, Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, and Arman Tsarukyan — who recently delivered a statement victory by choking out Dan Hooker — are all within striking distance of a title fight. France’s Benoit Saint Denis also remains firmly in the conversation after back-to-back Fight of the Night performances, including wins over Mauricio Ruffy and Beneil Dariush.