The Ilia Topuria era of the UFC might be over before it ever truly managed to kick into full gear.
Since emerging as the featherweight division’s top contender in 2023, Topuria has been on a rocket to the top of the combat sports world. He scored vicious knockouts of legends Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, before moving up to lightweight to defeat Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt.
However, issues outside of the cage cost him a year of his career before he was finally able to return to action in the main event of the UFC White House card. He will defend his title against interim champion Justin Gaethje on Sunday, and seems to have one eye on retirement after the fact.
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Ilia Topuria reveals he is looking at retirement ahead of UFC White House
In order to reach his full potential, Ilia Topuria has had to re-locate from his home in Spain to Miami for training with elite coaches and teammates. This means more time away from his family than planned, which he admits is a difficulty for him personally.
Speaking with Eurosport Espana, Topuria explained the toll it takes on him being away from his adopted home when asked if his move is full-time. “It’s permanent,” he replied. “It has been a decision that has cost me to make because I have my two children living in Spain.
“I have all of my family there, but sometimes one has to prioritize as things are in their life. My sporting career is not going to last very long.
“So because of training sessions and as I continue always searching for that constant improvement, I believe that for my sporting career and so that I can keep myself more active with all of my projects that I want to do, the best thing right now is to be here in Miami.
“Then once I retire, which is not going to be much later, I will return to Spain. That is the place where I want to live, where I want to spend the rest of my life.”