Ilia Topuria ‘reaches settlement’ with ex-wife as UFC champion returns to training with next fight imminent

Ilia Topuria is back training after his case with ex-wife Giorgina Uzcategui was dismissed.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Uzcategui withdrew her lawsuit against the UFC lightweight champion and both parties have reached an agreement.

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The pair reportedly signed a settlement on the terms originally offered by Topuria.

In November, Topuria announced he would step away from the sport to resolve a ‘difficult moment’ in his life, five months after he knocked out Charles Oliveira to become the UFC lightweight champion.

The 29-year-old then claimed he faced ‘false allegations of domestic abuse’ after fans speculated over what the real reason was for his break.

Last month, Topuria revealed his plans to make a UFC return between April and June when questioned by a fan on social media.

Well, it seems the UFC men’s No. 2 pound-for-pound ranked fighter was speaking the truth, as he returned to training this week following his case with Uzcategui being dismissed.

Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje tipped for UFC White House

“The champ is back,” Topuria wrote via Instagram on Thursday to signal is next fight is imminent.

The undefeated Spaniard is expected to meet Justin Gaethje on his return.

Gaethje became the interim lightweight champion by defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 last month in Dana White‘s first show of 2026.

The American outpointed Pimblett over five rounds, beating up the Liverpudlian on the feet to claim a unanimous decision win.

This put him in the driving seat to fight for the undisputed crown next, though No. 1-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan is also in with a shout.

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“I definitely need some time off,” Gaethke said at the UFC 324 post-fight rpess conference.

“[Pimblett] f***ing rocked my brain a couple times, and the only thing we have over the more dangerous sports, which are boxing and football, is that we get to take time.

“So I will do that. But the White House is in June and I represent this country.

“I represented it tonight. Look at the position and opportunity they just gave me here. There’s no way they’re keeping me off that card unless I’m dead.”

Topuria vs Gaethje has been tipped to take place at UFC White House this summer.

It is exactly the type of fight UFC president White has suggested could headline the historic card, which is also set to feature the return of Conor McGregor.