Latest update suggest Ilia Topuria expected to keep lightweight title despite layoff

Ilia Topuria.Recent updates suggest the UFC has no plans to strip champion Ilia Topuria of his lightweight title. Topuria is currently on a hiatus due to personal reasons and is expected to enter the octagon after the first quarter of 2026.

However, since the Georgian-Spaniard has not defended his 155-pound strap even once after capturing it at UFC 317, and his reason for not fighting now is not an injury or illness, there have been discussions about whether he should be stripped or asked to vacate.

Among others, Paddy Pimblett, who will fight for the interim lightweight strap at UFC 324, opposite Justin Gaethje, also wants Topuria to be stripped if the latter doesn’t know when he will return…