"Unacceptable Pressure." Ilia Topuria Steps Away from UFC to Battle Blackmail and False Abuse Claims.
"The truth is not a matter of opinion." UFC Champion Ilia Topuria has indefinitely suspended his fighting career to battle a "massive extortion plot" involving false abuse allegations. The double-champ vows to prove his innocence in court while the UFC scrambles to book an interim title fight.
Ilia Topuria (17-0) has vacated the spotlight to fight a legal battle against what he calls "unacceptable pressure" and blackmail.
The double-champion has indefinitely paused his title reign to fight a legal battle against what he calls a coordinated "extortion" plot involving fabricated domestic abuse claims.
Ilia Topuria, the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, announced on Monday that he is stepping away from the sport indefinitely. The 28-year-old superstar stated he is the victim of a massive extortion scheme threatening to release "false allegations of domestic abuse" unless he pays significant financial sums.
The announcement has frozen the division. Topuria (17-0), who cemented his status as a global icon by knocking out Charles Oliveira to claim his second belt at UFC 317 in June, was expected to defend his title early next year. Instead, the UFC has been forced to schedule an interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett for UFC 324 in January.
In a statement released to social media, Topuria addressed the allegations directly, claiming he has submitted video and audio evidence to judicial authorities to prove his innocence and prosecute those attempting to blackmail him.
Topuria’s statement outlines a scenario where unnamed individuals have targeted his family and reputation with fabricated evidence. He emphasized that his silence up until now was an attempt to protect his children, but the escalation of threats forced his hand.
"In recent months, I have been subjected to severe and unacceptable pressure, including threats to disseminate false allegations of domestic abuse unless financial demands were met. These allegations are entirely unfounded. The truth is not a matter of opinion – it is a matter of evidence. All relevant evidence has been carefully preserved... and submitted to the appropriate judicial authorities in order to pursue legal action for attempted extortion, falsification of evidence, and multiple threats."
(Ilia Topuria, via Instagram Statement)
The UFC has moved quickly to keep the lightweight division active in Topuria's absence. With the champion's return timeline unclear, the promotion confirmed that Justin Gaethje will face rising star Paddy Pimblett for the interim gold on January 24 in Las Vegas.
For Topuria, the battle has shifted from the octagon to the courtroom. "My truth does not need to shout," he wrote in his closing remarks. "It only needs to be heard."
