Ilia Topuria ends legal battle with ex wife and starts training again as UFC return talks grow louder

Ilia Topuria is back in full training, and the biggest roadblock in his career is now out of the way. The UFC lightweight champion has reached a legal agreement with his ex-wife, Giorgina Uzcategui, bringing an end to a dispute that pushed him away from the Octagon late last year.

The deal was first reported by Marca and later confirmed by TMZ Sports.After weeks of silence, Topuria gave fans a clear signal on Thursday when he shared a photo from the gym on Instagram. His message was short but clear: “The Champ is back!!!” According to TMZ Sports, the 155-pound champion actually returned to training weeks ago. While no fight date is set yet, all signs now point toward a comeback sometime in mid-2026.

For the UFC, this timing could not be better, as the lightweight division is already heating up.

Ilia Topuria’s legal settlement clears the path for a UFC return and possible Justin Gaethje fight

The agreement closes a chapter that began in December 2025, when Ilia Topuria announced he was stepping away from fighting. At that time, he said he was facing false domestic abuse claims tied to financial demands. In a public response to a lawsuit filed by Giorgina Uzcategui, Topuria said, “This evidence has been submitted to the appropriate judicial authorities in order to pursue legal action for attempted extortion, falsification of evidence, misappropriation of funds and personal property, and multiple threats.

”With the settlement now in place, that lawsuit is no longer a factor. Sources told TMZ Sports that Topuria is focused only on training and moving forward with his career. The UFC also stands to gain from his return. Less than two weeks ago, Justin Gaethje was named interim lightweight champion after a brutal fight with Paddy Pimblett at the UFC 324 main event.There is already talk about where Topuria could fit next. The UFC has a major event planned at the White House on June 14. Dana White told Babcock that the promotion would start building that fight card the Monday after UFC 324. With Topuria training again and Gaethje holding interim gold, a matchup between the two would make sense and draw massive attention. For now, fans will have to wait, but Ilia Topuria’s return to the Octagon feels closer than it has in months.