Ilia Topuria‘s divorce is no longer a secret for MMA fans. But what really caught many off guard this week was how fast a private split transformed into something more serious once the word “extortion” entered the conversation. Until recently, the details remained vague, allowing speculation to take precedence over facts. But that has finally changed now.

New reporting from Spain has begun to fill in the gaps, providing context for the financial disputes, housing arrangements, and legal positioning of both parties. It doesn’t settle the case but rather reframes it, turning the focus away from rumors and toward structure, timelines, and documented claims.

What the new reports say about Ilia Topuria’s legal battle

According to journalist Marta Corbal of El Mundo, the dispute stems from Ilia Topuria and Giorgina Uzcátegui‘s long-running divorce proceedings. The couple apparently signed a prenuptial agreement before marrying and had been separated for months. Talks broke down over financial terms, which heightened tensions.

According to one source close to ‘El Matador,’ he was repeatedly requested for more money and refused to “give in to blackmail,” while another voice from his environment maintains that the affair is still a “normal divorce” with common financial disputes and should not be described as extortion.

Top Stories

Sean Strickland Passes on UFC White House Opportunity in Yet Another Bold Confession

Florida Commission Draws Fire After Silva vs. Woodley Even as Israel Adesanya Cheers His “Sempai”

Mike Tyson Reacts to Conor McGregor Giving Him Boxing Lessons: “This Guy Is So..”

Henry Cejudo Warns Bettors Hours After Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Hit With $100M Prediction

Who Is Arman Tsarukyan’s Father? Nairi Tsarukyan’s Net Worth, Profession & Businesses

Living arrangements have also had an impact on the process. Uzcátegui is said to be living in the family house with their daughter because she does not have any other residence in Spain. Her family support system is still located in the United States and Venezuela. Her legal team has now said that she will not make any further public statements while the proceedings continue.

Ilia Topuria, for his part, has categorically denied any abuse charges. In his statement, he revealed why he had been quiet for so long. “My initial decision to remain silent was made solely to protect my children,” he said, “Silence, under these circumstances, does not protect the truth; it allows false narratives to take hold.”

He also claims to have considerable evidence of his innocence, including audio, written messages, witnesses, and video. The Spanish-Georgian’s life has reportedly been documented around the clock for over two years as part of an ongoing documentary, which he claims enhances his case. “The truth is not a matter of opinion—it is a matter of evidence,” he stated.

Ilia Topuria has finally drawn a clear line. ‘El Matador’ claims he won’t speak publicly again until the legal process is over. The UFC lightweight division continues without him, but the belt remains his. And until the courts deliver, Topuria’s toughest fight will no longer take place inside a cage. A UFC legend believes that while ‘El Matador’ deserves some sympathy, he should still be stripped of his title.

Chael Sonnen asks the UFC for immediate action

This is where the discussion swings away from the courtroom and toward policy. With Ilia Topuria stepping aside for personal reasons, the question is no longer about guilt or innocence. It’s about the process. How long can a division pause before momentum turns into collateral damage? Chael Sonnen believes that pause is already stretching the rulebook in uncomfortable ways.

‘The American Gangster’ traced the idea back to a private conversation at the UFC Apex, during which someone in the industry proposed completely stripping Topuria. Why? Because interim belts, he believes, exist for injuries and illnesses. When an absence is framed outside of those lanes, the precedent is lost.

“The moment Ilia informs us that he is missing matches for anything outside of illness or injury, that’s when you strip him,” Sonnen stated on his YouTube channel, acknowledging how harsh it sounded at first. That inner conflict never really went away. Chael Sonnen made it clear that he sympathizes with Ilia Topuria and dislikes the conclusion he reached.

However, the UFC legend believes that sympathy cannot take precedence over structure. Titles aren’t judgments of character. They are mechanisms that keep divisions running. And, in this case, Sonnen believes that the rules, not the resume, have to lead the way—even if it means a champion losing gold without even stepping into the cage.