UFC champ Ilia Topuria taking hiatus due to 'difficult moment' in life

Ilia Topuria won't be defending his UFC lightweight title anytime soon.

Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) announced on Thursday that a situation in his personal life will prevent him from returning on the UFC's desired timeline, which was rumored to be a January grudge match against Paddy Pimblett.

After a highly publicized split from his wife in recent months, Topuria is still seemingly managing the fallout. He said his focus needs to be on his family first, and therefore he has instructed UFC officials to make other plans for the top of the 155-pound weight class.

Read Topuria's full statement below (via X):

The MMA world has been waiting for Topuria's first title defense after he claimed the vacant belt with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June. He was pushing for a super fight with Islam Makhachev, who dropped his title to move up to welterweight and won gold against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 this month.

Other options for Topuria included Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje and Pimblett. It remains to be seen what will happen next, but there are online rumors of a Gaethje vs. Pimblett interim title fight at UFC 324 on Jan. 24, and UFC CEO Dana White is scheduled to make announcements Thursday's afternoon during an NFL halftime show.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC champ Ilia Topuria taking hiatus due to 'difficult moment' in life