Topuria cleared to train but won't fight until 2027

Ilia Topuria, the former UFC two-division champion, has been medically cleared to resume full training but will not compete for the rest of 2026, with his team targeting a return in February 2027. Topuria announced on social media that he completed final medical tests and is back, following severe injuries sustained in his loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Topuria's physical trainer, Jesus Gallo, confirmed that the fighter is gradually returning to training in Miami and will be ready to fight starting from February 2027. This timeline contradicts recent statements from UFC CEO Dana White, who claimed that Topuria is ready to fight and that the promotion is considering options for his comeback, including a rematch with Gaethje or a bout against Paddy Pimblett. A member of Topuria's team stated that he will not fight in 2026, emphasizing that the focus is on resuming MMA training rather than an immediate comeback. Topuria sustained a broken nose, two fractured orbital bones, and a shattered foot in his fourth-round TKO loss to Gaethje, which ended his lightweight title reign.