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UFC boss Dana White has discussed the plans for Ilia Topuria’s future return to the cage after his UFC Freedom 250 loss.
When Ilia Topuria fell to a defeat at the hands of Justin Gaethje earlier this year, many questioned just how much it would impact him. It wasn’t just that he lost – it’s that he took such a beating, he was forced to quit on the stool by his team.
Still, Ilia Topuria is good enough and powerful enough to still be in the lightweight title conversation. Some even think that he has earned the right to fight for the belt straight away, although that certainly isn’t a universal point of view.
In a recent interview, Dana White had the following to say about the return of Ilia Topuria and the lightweight division as a whole.
Dana White discusses Ilia Topuria’s return
“In 2027. He’ll come back in early 2027,” White said on “The Jim Rome Show”. “We’re working on that, too. That entire lightweight division, you’ve got Gaethje, Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Oliveira, Paddy Pimblett, Holloway. The whole top 10 is straight killers and the most badass division we have right now.”
Quotes via MMA Junkie
It’s clear for all to see that Topuria is still one of the biggest stars that the Ultimate Fighting Championship has at its disposal right now. The important question, though, is whether or not he can bounce back in a definitive manner. If he can’t, then there are plenty of guys at 155 pounds who would be ready and willing to take his place as the next big thing.
What do you expect to see from Topuria in his return to active competition? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
