UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has outlined a projected return to competition in the second quarter of 2026, setting the stage for a potential title unification bout against the winner of the upcoming interim lightweight championship fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.

Topuria, who captured the UFC lightweight title with a knockout victory over Charles Oliveira in June 2025, has been absent from the Octagon due to ongoing personal matters, including legal and family issues that have kept him away from formal training and competition. During a recent exchange with fans on social media platform X, the 28-year-old wrote that he expects to be back in action sometime between April and June 2026, and that his next matchup will be determined by the outcome of the interim title fight scheduled to headline UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas.

The interim title bout — set between former interim champ Gaethje and top contender Pimblett — was booked amid uncertainty surrounding Topuria’s return timeline, with the UFC electing not to wait indefinitely for the undisputed champion. The promotion’s decision reflects a wider effort to keep the lightweight division moving, and to establish a clear path back to undisputed gold once Topuria is ready.

Topuria’s layoff stems from a hiatus he announced late in 2025, when he confirmed he would not compete during the first quarter of 2026 while addressing difficult personal matters. At the time of the announcement, the champion emphasized his desire not to “hold up the division,” a comment that underscored the potential need for interim championship plans in his absence.

Despite being sidelined, Topuria has maintained engagement with the broader landscape of the lightweight division. In a recent social media response, when asked about his next opponent, he reiterated his interest in meeting the interim champion once he returns. “April–June,” Topuria wrote. “The winner between Paddy and Justin.”

The context for Topuria’s projected comeback includes the UFC’s increasingly complex event schedule for 2026. Beyond UFC 324, the promotion is planning a high-profile card on **June 14 — the anticipated White House event — where Topuria has expressed interest in competing. While details of his potential placement on that card have not been confirmed, the June window aligns with his projected return timeline.

With the interim title on the line in January, the June to April timeframe offers a clear path for Topuria to unify the lightweight belts against either Gaethje or Pimblett, who are among the division’s most prominent contenders. Both fighters bring distinct styles and fan interest: Gaethje’s relentless pressure and finishing ability contrast with Pimblett’s dynamic grappling and growing profile in the division.

The lightweight landscape stands to shift dramatically based on the outcome of UFC 324. Should the interim champion emerge and await Topuria’s return, the winner’s meeting with the undisputed champion would likely become one of the marquee title bouts of 2026. With Topuria’s return window now clearer, that matchup — long discussed by fans and pundits — edges closer to reality, setting up what could be a defining period for the division.