Ilia Topuria has broken her silence. The two-time UFC world champion recently announced that he would be taking a break from his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career to focus on resolving some personal issues, including a separation from … Until then, she was his partner and mother of his daughter, Giorgina Uzcategui. “I will not fight in the first quarter of next year. I’m going through a difficult time in my personal life. “I want to focus on my children and resolve this situation as quickly as possible,” he said several weeks ago. Today, he went further and released a statement to raise awareness of the issue: he claims he has been subjected to “intolerable pressure” and “unfounded accusations of mistreatment.”
“In recent weeks you know that I had to temporarily give up defending my title, which, as you can imagine, was not an easy decision. But when life puts you in situations that threaten your peace, your family and your name, there comes a time when you have to take a step forward,” Ilia Topuria began in his note sent to the media. “In recent months, I have suffered intolerable situations and pressures, threatening to spread unfounded accusations of mistreatment that would only disappear in exchange for money, but the truth has only one path: the facts,” he continues.
In a powerful text, the Spanish-Georgian fighter claims to have suffered an extortion attempt. “All of them are perfectly documented – audios, messages, testimonies and videos – and are brought to court to legally prosecute not only for attempted extortion, but also for falsification of evidence, theft of money and personal items, in addition to all the threats received,” he emphasizes. “I tried to remain silent to protect my children, who are the pillars of my life, but I understood that remaining silent is no longer protection: it is letting the lie continue to grow,” he added.
“In recent weeks you know that I had to temporarily give up defending my title, which, as you can imagine, was not an easy decision. But when life puts you in situations that threaten your peace, your family and your name, there comes a time when you have to take a step forward,” Ilia Topuria began in his note sent to the media. “In recent months, I have suffered intolerable situations and pressures, threatening to spread unfounded accusations of mistreatment that would only disappear in exchange for money, but the truth has only one path: the facts,” he continues.
In a powerful text, the Spanish-Georgian fighter claims to have suffered an extortion attempt. “All of them are perfectly documented – audios, messages, testimonies and videos – and are brought to court to legally prosecute not only for attempted extortion, but also for falsification of evidence, theft of money and personal items, in addition to all the threats received,” he emphasizes. “I tried to remain silent to protect my children, who are the pillars of my life, but I understood that remaining silent is no longer protection: it is letting the lie continue to grow,” he added.
“Many people have experienced similar situations and justice, sooner or later, put everything in its place. Today I have to take a step forward and be an example that no one should give in to pressure, manipulation or fear. Those who know me know that I have never resorted to violence against anyone and that my values have always been those of respect, discipline and honesty,” Topuria noted.
When will Ilia Topuria return to competition?
At this point, where the two-time UFC champion will be immersed in legal proceedings to determine what will happen to his personal situation, many mixed martial arts (MMA) fans are wondering when Ilia Topuria will fight in the UFC again. In this sense, the first thing to keep in mind is that the Hispano-Georgian is still the lightweight champion of the biggest MMA league in the world. Given the impossibility of defending his world title in January, the UFC has scheduled a fight for the interim lightweight belt between the Englishman Paddy Pimblett and the American Justin Gaethje for January 24, 2026.
In this sense, the winner should face Topuria, although the Hispano-Georgian clarified to Carlos Contreras Legaspi that his rivals could change depending on the winner. For example, if Paddy Pimblett wins, this will be the fight that happens, if Justin Gaethje wins, Topuria has hinted that he might have another shot, who knows if fighting Islam Makhachev, another of the big duels that the UFC wants to close at some point. Either way, Topuria’s return date has a clear throughline: UFC champion He will fight again between May and July 2026where several clear scenarios appear, such as the events at the White House or International Fight Week in June.
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