Ilia Topuria: Lightweight Title Defense Set for Spring or Summer

By Carlos Mendes - Sports Editor

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January 18, 2026 2:29 am

Ilia Topuria: Lightweight Title Defense Set for Spring or Summer

1. Topuria’s Return ‌and Championship Plans

3. Related

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Brett OkamotoJan 16, 2026, 05:16 PM ET
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Ilia Topuria intends⁣ to defend his UFC lightweight championship between April and June,‌ according to a statement on X (formerly Twitter).

Topuria’s Return ‌and Championship Plans

Topuria (17-0) announced a temporary leave from the sport late last year due to personal ⁣issues. ⁣He later clarified that he⁣ was addressing false allegations of domestic abuse and a custody matter with his ex-wife, Giorgina Uzcategui, in a Spanish family court.

During topuria’s absence, the UFC created an‍ interim title fight between

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Carlos Mendes - Sports EditorSports Editor

Full Name: Carlos Mendes Role: Editor, Sports Category: Sports Location: Lisbon, Portugal Education: BA in Sports Journalism, University of Lisbon Experience: 13+ years in sports reporting and editorial management Expertise: Football (soccer), Olympic sports, athlete interviews, sports analytics Awards: European Sports Media Award 2021 Professional Affiliations: Member, International Sports Press Association Languages: Portuguese (native), English (fluent), Spanish (conversational) Bio: Carlos Mendes is a passionate sports journalist and editor with over 13 years of experience covering football, Olympic sports, and major international competitions. He holds a BA in Sports Journalism from the University of Lisbon. Carlos is known for his insightful match analysis, exclusive athlete interviews, and dedication to fair play in sports reporting. As Editor of the Sports section at World Today Journal, he brings readers closer to the action with expert coverage and behind-the-scenes stories.