UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria has announced he’s temporarily stepping away from defending his title, citing ongoing legal issues and what he describes as “severe and unacceptable pressure” outside of the Octagon.
🚨 BREAKING: Ilia Topuria announced he’s temporarily stepping away from defending his title as a result of ongoing legal issues.
“In recent months, I even have been subjected to severe and unacceptable pressure, including threats to disseminate false allegations of domestic abuse unless… pic.twitter.com/5E3v4nQNSZ
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 15, 2025
In an announcement released Sunday evening, Topuria addressed the situation directly, revealing that he has been the goal of threats and attempted extortion. “In recent months, I even have been subjected to severe and unacceptable pressure, including threats to disseminate false allegations of domestic abuse unless financial demands were met,” Topuria said. He added that the harassment has created an untenable personal and skilled environment, forcing him to take a step back to clear his name and protect his family.
The UFC has not yet issued an official comment regarding the status of the lightweight title or whether the interim championship bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will likely be for the vacant undisputed title. Nonetheless, the UFC has faced similar situations before and can likely make a choice in the approaching weeks over again clarity emerges.
Topuria (15-0) captured the lightweight crown earlier this yr with a dominant knockout win over Charles Oliveira, immediately establishing himself as one in all the game’s brightest rising stars. His charisma, precision striking, and undefeated record had seemingly positioned him as a foundational figure of the UFC’s next generation of champions.
Ilia Topuria KO’s Charles Oliveira to turn into the Lightweight UFC Champion of the world!! #UFC317 pic.twitter.com/KyulLjh6TQ
— FightBiz (@FightBizz) June 29, 2025
The fallout from this announcement will undoubtedly solid a shadow over the division’s immediate future. Gaethje or Pimblett might be the longer term for the lightweight division, not less than within the short term, if Topuria’s hiatus extends for some time.
Despite the controversy, Topuria maintained confidence in his statement that the reality would prevail. “I even have full faith that the legal system will expose those behind these threats and false accusations,” he wrote.
While fans await updates from each Topuria and the UFC, this development underscores how quickly careers in combat sports may be disrupted by battles that happen not contained in the cage—but far beyond it.