Dana White confirms Topuria targets early 2027 UFC return after first career loss

UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed the promotion is actively planning an early 2027 return for Ilia Topuria, the former two-division champion who has not competed since suffering the first professional defeat of his career against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

Gaethje claimed the lightweight title after Topuria’s corner intervened before the fifth round — a stoppage that ended a run that had seen the Georgian-Spanish fighter hold belts at featherweight and lightweight simultaneously.

Speaking on The Jim Rome Show, White was direct when asked about Topuria’s next appearance. “In ‘27,” he said. “He’ll come back in early [2027], and we’re working on that, too.”

White declined to name a potential opponent but used the question as an opportunity to highlight the strength of the 155-pound division. “That entire lightweight division — you’ve got [Justin] Gaethje, Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, [Charles] Oliveira, Paddy Pimblett, [Max] Holloway, the whole top 10 is straight killers. It’s the best and most bad-ass division we have right now,” he said.

Topuria himself has already signalled his intentions publicly, posting on social media: “The Matador is coming back.” No date or opponent has been announced for the comeback bout.

The timeline places Topuria’s return roughly six to eight months after his defeat to Gaethje, a turnaround that would set up a potentially crowded lightweight picture at the top of the division heading into 2027.