Ilia
Topuria is eyeing a longtime foe for his Octagon return.

The former two-division
Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder recently said he
plans to return to competition around April 2027. In a new
interview, “El Matador” addressed his defeat to Justin
Gaethje and revealed who he wants to fight next.

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Ilia Topuria discusses retirement before calling out Paddy
Pimblett

Topuria labeled his loss to Gaethje at
UFC Freedom 250 the “worst day” of his career and even hinted
at retirement before turning his attention to Paddy
Pimblett. They have a long-running, bitter rivalry that began
with Pimblett’s insensitive comments about Topuria’s home country,
Georgia.

“I’ve been in the worst situation a fighter can be in,” Topuria
told Spanish outlet ABC Diario. “I have seen the worst day of my
job. What’s worse than that, dying? I’ve achieved everything, and
after this fight, what else? Maybe I’ll even retire. From April
onwards is when we’re considering the return… Paddy, Paddy, Paddy.
I eat him like a sausage, which he is.”

UFC CEO Dana
White has also hinted at Topuria’s return timeline, saying the
promotion is actively working on his next matchup, targeted for
next year.

“He’ll be back in 2027,” White told Jim Rome. “We’re working on
that too.”


IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

Internationaler Kampfkunst und Kampfsport Kleinanzeiger