Ilia Topuria, the reigning lightweight champion, is reportedly nearing his highly anticipated return to the UFC Octagon. Speculation points towards a championship defense, with Justin Gaethje frequently mentioned as a potential opponent. Interestingly, recent shifts in the lightweight rankings have also bolstered Paddy Pimblett`s case for a grudge match against Topuria.
UFC President Dana White recently provided a “possible” timeframe for the unbeaten star`s comeback, hinting at a significant event.
Ilia Topuria Potentially Headlining UFC`s Paramount Debut
The UFC is transitioning from its ESPN pay-per-view deal, with its final event confirmed as UFC 323 in December, featuring a bantamweight title defense by Merab Dvalishvili. The promotion`s new era begins in January with UFC 324 in Las Vegas, marking the first card under its new lucrative partnership with Paramount.
Dana White suggested that Topuria could be the featured fighter for this historic event. When questioned by media after the Contender Series, White stated, “We literally — today — matchmaking was today. And we started working on the first Paramount card today.” Asked specifically about Topuria headlining the Paramount debut, White confirmed, “It`s a possibility.”
Topuria`s Missed Opportunity in New York
Following his impressive return to the lightweight division last summer, where he secured a first-round knockout victory over Charles Oliveira, Topuria was immediately linked to fights with both Gaethje and Pimblett. However, a potential career-first appearance at Madison Square Garden was missed when his rival Islam Makhachev secured a title bout at UFC 232 instead.
