UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has candidly shared his thoughts on his recent divorce.
Recognized as a prominent figure in mixed martial arts, Topuria took a personal hiatus at the beginning of 2026 following a separation from his wife. While he released an initial statement regarding the matter, the details of the divorce have largely remained private to safeguard his family’s privacy.
Now, Topuria is set to re-enter the octagon, preparing to face Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje secured this opportunity by defeating Paddy Pimblett earlier this year to claim the interim lightweight title, earning him a highly anticipated showdown with a highly motivated ‘El Matador’.
In a recent interview, Ilia Topuria discussed his divorce and its influence on him and his connection with his children.
“It changed me from night to day. It’s like you’re not conscious of things until it is your turn to be. You’re used to waking up in the morning with your children, seeing them, and suddenly all of that changes for you. It’s hard.
“What I have learned the most from all this situation is to listen to my mother, because mothers have intuition and they see things that we do not see. I love you, mom.”
Moving forward, Topuria appears to have a clear focus on his fighting future and his aspirations within the sport. The hope is that his performance against Gaethje at the White House will showcase the very best of the Spaniard in what is expected to be an action-packed bout.
Should he emerge victorious, there is a strong possibility that Topuria will aim to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold undisputed titles in three different weight classes. For now, however, his focus remains on the immediate challenge.
