Topuria says “false allegations of domestic abuse” behind UFC 324 absence

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UFC rubric holder IIia Topuria took a interruption from the athletics successful November to combat what helium is calling “attempted extortion”.

Published On 16 Dec 2025

Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria explained his withdrawal from the UFC 324 rubric bout connected Monday, alleging helium is addressing an extortion effort and volition instrumentality to the cage astatine the due time.

Topuria is not connected the UFC 324 card. An interim lightweight title bout betwixt Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett headlines the January 24 lawsuit successful Paradise, Nevada.

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The 28-year-old Georgian had already denied that an wounded forced him retired of a rubric defence. Topuria (17-0) said Monday helium wanted to code rumours and speculation astir his lack from the athletics since November.

“Over the past respective weeks, I person made the hard determination to temporarily measurement distant from defending my title. This was not a determination I took lightly. However, erstwhile circumstances originate that endanger your idiosyncratic integrity, your family, and your reputation, determination comes a constituent erstwhile you indispensable code them directly,” Topuria said successful a connection posted to Instagram connected Monday.

“In caller months, I person been subjected to terrible and unacceptable pressure, including threats to disseminate mendacious allegations of home maltreatment unless fiscal demands were met. These allegations are wholly unfounded. The information is not a substance of sentiment – it is simply a substance of evidence. All applicable grounds has been cautiously preserved and documented, including audio recordings, written communications, witnesser statements, and video material. This grounds has been submitted to the due judicial authorities successful bid to prosecute ineligible enactment for attempted extortion, falsification of evidence, misappropriation of funds and idiosyncratic property, and aggregate threats.”

Topuria has 2 knockout wins to support the loop since helium won it from Alexander Volkanovski successful February 2024 with a knockout victory.

Topuria’s astir caller combat was a June 28 knockout triumph against Charles OIiveira astatine UFC 317 and made him the archetypal undefeated two-division champion successful UFC history.