TLDR
- Ilia Topuria announced he will not fight until early 2026 due to personal matters involving his children
- UFC created an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for UFC 324 on January 24th
- Arman Tsarukiyan was overlooked as the number one contender despite defeating Dan Hooker
- Former champion TJ Dillashaw believes Topuria is avoiding Tsarukiyan because he views him as a dangerous matchup
- The interim champion will face Topuria when he returns in spring or summer 2026
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria announced he will not compete until early 2026 due to personal reasons. The 28-year-old champion made the announcement on social media, stating he is going through a difficult moment in his personal life. He wants to focus on his children and resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
Topuria last fought in June when he knocked out Charles Oliveira in the first round. The victory gave him the vacant lightweight title at UFC 217. Four months before that fight, the Spanish-Georgian fighter vacated the featherweight belt.
The champion emphasized he does not want to hold up the division. He told fans the UFC would make the necessary matchups. Once his personal matters are resolved, he will inform the promotion he is ready to return.
UFC president Dana White addressed the situation during a recent live broadcast. White confirmed that Topuria would be away until the first quarter of 2026. He explained how the division would move forward during the champion’s absence.
White announced the UFC would create an interim lightweight title. The temporary belt will be contested at UFC 324 on January 24th at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This event marks the first under the UFC’s deal with Paramount+.
The Interim Title Fight
Justin Gaethje will face Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight championship. Gaethje enters the fight with a record of 26 wins and 5 losses. Pimblett brings 23 victories and 3 defeats and remains unbeaten inside the UFC.
Gaethje last competed in March when he defeated Rafael Fiziev by decision for the second time. The 37-year-old American previously held the interim lightweight belt in 2020. He stopped Tony Ferguson that May but lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov five months later when attempting to unify the titles.
Pimblett last fought in April when he stopped former Bellator champion Michael Chandler. The 30-year-old from Liverpool has maintained momentum with consistent performances. He has a history of tension with Topuria dating back to 2022 when they confronted each other at a fighter hotel before UFC London.
The two fighters recently crossed paths in Qatar where they traded insults. Topuria called Pimblett a derogatory name while each man was supporting teammates. Many fans had hoped to see them settle their grudge in a title fight.
Controversy Over Rankings
The UFC’s decision to create an interim title fight sparked controversy because Arman Tsarukiyan was overlooked. Tsarukiyan defeated Dan Hooker and earned the position as the number one contender. People expected him to face Topuria at UFC 324.
Former two-time UFC champion TJ Dillashaw accused Topuria of avoiding Tsarukiyan. Speaking on the Jaxxon Podcast, the 39-year-old stated he believes Topuria is threatened by the Armenian fighter. Dillashaw acknowledged Topuria as the most skilled current fighter but said he thinks the champion doesn’t want to risk a loss.
Dillashaw explained why he views Tsarukiyan as a dangerous opponent. He described Tsarukiyan as big, strong, and great for the weight class with clean boxing and excellent grappling skills. The former champion called it a tough fight for Topuria.
Pimblett mocked Tsarukiyan on social media after the UFC announced the interim title fight. Tsarukiyan had spent the previous month criticizing Pimblett’s skills and saying the Liverpool fighter “sucks” after his win over Hooker. When the interim opportunity went to Pimblett instead, Tsarukiyan responded with confusion about the UFC’s decision.
The situation may stem from Tsarukiyan’s earlier withdrawal from a scheduled fight with Islam Makhachev. That cancellation appears to have affected his standing despite being the top-ranked contender. Tsarukiyan expressed his bewilderment on social media but received no immediate explanation from the UFC.
The winner of Gaethje versus Pimblett will face Topuria when he returns. Topuria is expected back in spring or summer 2026, potentially at a UFC White House card. The timing should allow for a quick path to unifying the lightweight championship.
