UFC president Dana White says Ilia Topuria is expected to come back to competition in early 2027 following his June loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.
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UFC president Dana White says Ilia Topuria is set to return in early 2027, though the UFC has not finalized a specific date or opponent.
White made the comment on The Jim Rome Show in an episode that aired Wednesday, November 4, saying: “He’ll come back in early 2027.” He also noted the depth of the UFC lightweight division and declined to name potential challengers for Topuria, saying doing so could lead to speculation on social media.
Topuria’s timeline comes after he suffered his first professional loss and lost the UFC lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250, a lightweight championship fight held at the White House on June 14, 2026. In the bout against Justin Gaethje, Topuria’s corner stopped the fight after he was unable to maintain control through the match, with the stoppage coming after round four.
White’s comments follow Topuria’s indication that he is preparing to resume his career, after he posted on Instagram from Georgia saying: “I returned to where it all began. Not to reminisce, but to remember. The Matador is coming back,” per the account’s accompanying text.
Prior to the Gaethje fight, Topuria entered UFC Freedom 250 as an undefeated fighter; after the defeat, his professional record stands at 17 wins and one loss.
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