Dana White Targets Early 2027 UFC Return for Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria's comeback has a window. It still does not have an opponent.

UFC CEO Dana White told Jim Rome that the promotion is working toward an early 2027 return for the former two-division champion. Jim Rome's official account published the interview clip Wednesday.

"He'll be back in '27. We're working on that too," White said.

That is the firm part of the update. White did not announce a date, venue or matchup, and the UFC has not added a Topuria bout to its schedule. For now, "early 2027" is a target rather than a booking.

First fight since the Gaethje loss

Topuria has not competed since Justin Gaethje stopped him after the fourth round of their lightweight title fight at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. The UFC's official result lists a TKO by corner stoppage at 5:00 of Round 4.

The loss changed Topuria's position in a hurry. He entered the White House card as an unbeaten champion and left with his first professional defeat and without the lightweight belt. UFC's account of the fight says Topuria hurt Gaethje to the body in Round 2 and chased submissions, but Gaethje took control from the third round onward. A doctor checked Topuria before the fourth, and his corner stopped the fight after the round.

There is no need to rush the rematch talk. Topuria went through four hard rounds in June, and White's timeline would give him at least six months away from competition. It also gives the lightweight division time to move instead of freezing every possible matchup around a return date that does not exist yet.

No opponent yet

White named Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Paddy Pimblett and Max Holloway while discussing the depth of the division, according to MMA Junkie and MMA Mania. He did not say that any of them had been selected for Topuria.

A second fight with Gaethje would be the obvious headline, but obvious is not the same as booked. Gaethje holds the belt, other contenders have claims, and the UFC has several months of matchmaking to settle before Topuria is expected back.

That distinction matters because a return timeline can turn into a fake fight announcement within minutes. White gave a year and a general window. He did not give Topuria a signed opponent.

What the timeline means

The useful news is that Topuria remains in the UFC's plans and the promotion is actively working on his next appearance. The vague part is everything after that.

Topuria's next fight will be his first after losing both his unbeaten record and the lightweight title on the same night. That alone makes the return worth watching. The opponent will decide whether it is an immediate route back to the championship, a grudge fight, or a chance to rebuild against another contender.

White's early-2027 target narrows the wait without pretending the paperwork is done. Until the UFC announces a bout, the only safe conclusion is the simplest one: Topuria is expected back next year, and the name across from him is still open.