Ilia Topuria, a rising UFC star known for defeating top fighters, faces uncertainty in his career due to a public divorce and custody battle, with concerns about his mental readiness affecting future performances.
Ilia Topuria has been the talk of the UFC, dominating featherweight legends like Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. He then moved up to lightweight, taking down Charles Oliveira with the same ferocity.
While claiming titles in two divisions isn’t as rare as before, Topuria’s aggressive style and global appeal have skyrocketed his marketability. However, as 2026 unfolds, he’s missing from the scene due to a messy public divorce and custody battle, leaving fans wondering about his return.
UFC legend Matt Brown, who nearly retired during his own divorce, empathizes with Topuria’s situation. Brown’s concerned about how these personal issues might affect Topuria’s performance when he finally steps back into the octagon.
“Ilia comes back but the bolder prediction is that he loses,” Brown speculated on The Fighter vs. The Writer. He thinks Topuria might rush back, not mentally ready, and end up losing. Fighters hate being sidelined.
Brown shares from experience that injuries make watching fights unbearable. Topuria, despite being healthy, faces heavy personal issues. Brown believes he’ll return but warns it won’t be easy.
As UFC 324 approaches with an interim lightweight title fight, Dana White has hinted the winner might face Topuria. Yet, no clear statements have been made, leaving room for speculation.
Brown emphasizes that fighters often battle personal demons that impact their performances. He wonders how Topuria will navigate these challenges.
“We’re still competitors,” Brown noted. Fighters face unseen struggles, from family deaths to divorces, that weigh heavily during fights. It’s crucial to have a clear mind against fierce opponents.
Ilia seems smart, seeing the bigger picture as a prizefighter. He’s not just feeding his ego but aiming for the prize. Still, unlike injuries, divorces have no set timeline for resolution.
Even if Topuria resolves his divorce, Brown knows it doesn’t mean instant relief. His own divorce took two years, and the aftermath wasn’t all roses.
“There’s not a timeline. There’s not a proper way to do it,” Brown remarked. Sometimes, you just have to push through, but when is too soon?
Topuria must also consider the physical toll of stress. Brown explained how even slight stressors can affect performance, like sleep disruption and recovery issues.
Despite the chaos, Brown believes in Topuria’s talent to overcome and return to the UFC. However, there’s no guarantee, and Brown hopes Topuria takes the necessary time to heal.
“It gets emotional,” Brown said. Public scrutiny can reignite past pain, even if Topuria says he’s not discussing it. Memories linger.
Brown is confident in Topuria’s skills but warns that improper training or mental distraction could lead to unexpected outcomes. Gaethje and Paddy are formidable opponents.
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