Ilia Topuria’s coach shares new comeback timeline after ruling out 2026 return

Ilia Topuria will be ready to fight in the first few months of 2027, according to one of his coaches.

The former featherweight and lightweight champion has kept a low profile since suffering his first MMA loss against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

Last week, UFC CEO Dana White publicly claimed Ilia Topuria is ready to fight again while discussing Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett as potential opponents for the Spanish superstar.

One of Ilia Topuria’s coaches has pushed back on Dana White’s claim his fighter is ready to return.

Physical trainer Jesús Gallo claims his fighter won’t make a comeback until the first quarter of 2027.

“I’ve been talking with Jesús Gallo, Ilia Topuria’s physical trainer,” MMA reporter Álvaro Colmenero tweeted on Wednesday.

“He has informed me that Ilia is gradually returning to training in Miami and that ‘he’ll be ready to fight starting from February’ of 2027.”

He estado hablando con Jesús Gallo, el preparador físico de Ilia Topuria

Me ha informado de que Ilia está regresando progresivamente a los entrenamientos en Miami y que "estará listo para pelear a partir de febrero" de 2027

La entrevista, pronto en ABC y KOlmenero

Ilia Topuria’s manager recently dismissed Paddy Pimblett while talking up a rematch with Justin Gaethje.

Malki Kawa shared a video to his Instagram story of Dana White expressing his interest in a fight between Topuria and Pimblett.

“We want the get back 1000%,” Kawa captioned the video.

It seems Team Topuria is hoping to run it back with Gaethje for lightweight gold at the start of 2027.