Even Chael Sonnen, who is notorious for dissecting MMA’s every twist, admits he has questions and some possible answers about Ilia Topuria. The undefeated Georgian fighter has been unusually tight-lipped. Rumors about his personal life, mixed with curiosity about his next opponent, have resulted in a unique combination of expectation and mystery. But what exactly is preventing ‘El Matador’ from speaking publicly, and how much of it is related to life beyond the Octagon?

The whispers began on social media when fans spotted Ilia Topuria and his wife, Giorgina Uzcategui Badell, deleting pictures of each other from Instagram. While ‘El Matador’ continues to follow his wife, Giorgina’s move of unfollowing the champion and her latest postings celebrating her daughter and motherhood have sparked speculation that the couple is splitting up.

Chael Sonnen reveals the reason behind Ilia Topuria’s inactivity online

MMA fan accounts and outlets jumped on the story, turning it all into a trending topic of debate among followers looking for answers. While Topuria himself has stayed largely silent, giving little indication of what’s happening in his personal life, Chael Sonnen has dropped a little hint that there is definitely something bothering the lightweight champion.

‘The American Gangster’ revealed that Topuria’s reluctance to give interviews is due to “very personal things going on right now,” making it practically impossible to receive solid answers on his next fight. He said on his YouTube channel, “Supposedly, Ilia Topuria has some very personal things going on right now, and it’s believed because of that that he’s being reluctant to do interviews. But if he is reluctant to interview, then we can’t get information. We just can’t. Normally, we can’t call Ilia and go, ‘Hey, what’s next?'”

Sonnen also commented on the lightweight division’s matchmaking implications, highlighting the impact of Ilia Topuria’s absence: “So, if Paddy ‘The Baddy’ is not fighting Ilia, if Justin Gaethje is not fighting at all, my bigger question would be: who is Paddy fighting?” His statements highlight not only the uncertainty surrounding Topuria’s situation but also what this means for possible fights across the division.

Despite the surrounding speculation, Topuria’s professional focus remains sharp. The undefeated fighter has built a reputation by defeating top-tier opponents such as Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. UFC CEO Dana White has acknowledged that the company is actively considering his next fight, likely for a January card, leaving fans waiting for word on when and against whom ‘El Matador’ will compete.

For the time being, the Georgian champion will continue to train and prepare, keeping his personal matters private as the MMA world watches and waits. But if you have to make a guess about his next move, the Spanish-Georgian did recently reveal that his new ambition now is to earn himself a record that one can only dream about: the triple champion status in the UFC.

Ilia Topuria wants to earn a historic third title

Ilia Topuria, the unbeaten and reigning 155-pound champion, has set his sights on a record that no fighter in UFC history has ever accomplished: winning championships in three separate weight classes. For the Georgian great, it’s more than just personal glory; he wants to cement his legacy and prove his ability to dominate throughout divisions by facing the UFC’s toughest opponents.

Topuria spoke about the potential challenge at a recent press conference in Georgia, emphasizing the stakes involved. “I think it would be one of the biggest fights in UFC history… If Islam loses, he may as well go back to Dagestan, to his farm, and continue shepherding his sheep. But if he wins, I’ll definitely move up. Definitely. 100 percent.”

His words indicate how seriously he is considering the move to another division, while also acknowledging the intense competition he would face in the quest for a historic third belt. While his return date has yet to be confirmed, Dana White has hinted that Ilia Topuria may headline the UFC’s Paramount+ debut once a contender for the 155-pound title has been determined.

With the new broadcast deal allowing UFC events in Europe at local prime time, logistics will be easier for Topuria to headline major cards. The combination of his undefeated record, global appeal, and historic goals has fans eagerly anticipating the lightweight champion’s next move as he prepares to go after a UFC milestone that might define his career.