MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz has responded to Ilia Topuria’s recent comments. Topuria has taken a break from fighting due to personal reasons and is expected to enter the octagon after the first quarter of 2026.
In his absence, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will lock horns at UFC 324 with the interim 155-pound championship up for grabs. However, since Topuria’s reason not to compete is not because of an injury or illness, there have been debates about stripping him of the lightweight title.
Topuria recently appeared in an interview with Eldoberdan MMA. During the sitdown, he took shots at Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Arman Tsarukyan.