Ilia Topuria’s coach pushes back on Dana White’s claim he’s ready to fight: ‘That’s news to me’

Ilia Topuria’s strength and conditioning coach has provided an update on the fighter’s return.

Dana White announced last week that Topuria is ready to return and that while nothing is on the schedule right now, the promotion is on the same page.

This news immediately sparked talk of what could be next for ‘El Matador’ following his first loss, with Topuria’s team pushing for a rematch with Justin Gaethje.

However, a coach who works closely with the former lightweight and featherweight champion claims that they aren’t as close to stepping back inside the Octagon as was suggested.

Dana White is confident that Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett is main event-worthy regardless of whether a title is on the line.

While there are several exciting matchups for ‘El Matador’ to return to, his strength and conditioning coach says that people anticipating his return might be getting ahead of themselves.

Jesus Gallo recently spoke with Cuban journalist José Ebro in a video posted on the reporter’s Facebook page.

The coach, who recently shared images on Instagram of his work with Topuria, has disputed the notion that the former champion is ready to step back inside the Octagon.

“That’s news to me. I don’t know what he [Dana White] is referring to or what information he’s using to make that kind of announcement,” he said, via quotes translated from As Más Deporte.

“Right now, we are focused on starting to train and getting a training camp back up and running,” Gallo continued. “At this moment, [a comeback fight] isn’t our focus… He’s really progressing incredibly well, but we haven’t started a real training camp yet. We haven’t even truly begun any kind of MMA training yet.”

Both Dana White and Jesus Gallo could be right regarding their comments on Ilia Topuria.

The UFC president could have meant that after overcoming his injuries, ‘El Matador’ is ready to start training again and can now talk about booking his next matchup.

Gallo previously predicted that Topuria could fight again this year when speaking about his fighter’s recovery shortly after the White House card in June.

“What the doctor told us was that within 6 to 8 weeks, it should heal properly, especially because there was no orbital bone displacement, so it will heal on its own,” Gallo said in June.

“After that, for him to start wrestling again, to start doing things again, it’ll take a little while for it to really solidify there. I think we’re talking about at least 2 to 3 months, easily. If you saw us in a rematch or in a fight, it would be toward the end of the year, in December. Who knows? We’ll see.”