US Edition"I Have Been Subjected to Severe and Unacceptable Pressure" - Ilia Topuria Issues Strong Statement Denying Domestic Abuse Allegations
Ilia Topuria cites false domestic abuse claims, alleged extortion, and legal battles as reasons for stepping away, prompting an interim lightweight title fight in January, UFC said.
- On Dec 15, 2025, Ilia Topuria, UFC double champion, said on social media he is temporarily stepping away due to "false allegations of domestic abuse" in a statement from Madrid.
- After separating from Giorgina Uzcategui Badell, ex-wife and mother of his young daughter, Topuria says recent months brought threats demanding money to avoid false accusations.
- Topuria said he turned evidence over to the courts, including audio recordings, written communications, witness statements and video, to pursue legal claims of attempted extortion, falsification of evidence, theft and multiple threats.
- The lightweight division will see an interim champion fight as Paddy Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje on Jan 24 at UFC 317, due to Topuria's absence.
- Out of respect for his children, Topuria asked the public to avoid speculation and requested privacy, stressing his values of respect, discipline, and honesty amid the judicial process.
58 Articles
58 Articles
Dana White Under Pressure as Ilia Topuria ‘Chilling’ With Merab Dvalishvili Raises ‘Personal’ Questions
Ilia Topuria isn’t just any champion right now. He’s the champion who announced a hiatus, citing personal reasons, and walked away while the division stalled behind him. So, when the video of Merab Dvalishvili attempting to sing along with Ilia Topuria while driving through Spain went viral on social media, not everyone saw it as harmless fun. To some, it felt like a contradiction, one that put the pressure directly onto Dana White. The clip upl…
Ilia Topuria, UFC campaign in category -70 kg, published a communiqué to justify his withdrawal from the organization in the following months. The Spanish fighter explained that it is not possible to present his title - according to his own statements - to try to rape and rape against him.
The mixed martial arts fighter breaks the silence, accuses intolerable pressures and prioritizes a judicial process that temporarily removes him from the octagon
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