Major Blow for Dana White as Ilia Topuria Won’t Kickstart UFC’s $7.7 Billion Deal With Paramount+ in 2026

Popular MMA insider raises doubts regarding lightweight champion Ilia Topuria's much anticipated return in January 2026.

Major Blow for Dana White as Ilia Topuria Won’t Kickstart UFC’s $7.7 Billion Deal With Paramount+ in 2026

Ilia Topuria may not fight on the inaugural UFC Paramount+ card (via MMA Mania, MMA Fighting)

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The January UFC card was billed as one of the most anticipated events of next year, serving as the first main card under the new UFC-Paramount+ partnership. It was also long expected to mark Ilia Topuria’s return to the Octagon after his dominant title win. However, a recent update has contrasted those early reports. The event may now proceed without the lightweight champion on the lineup.

The UFC’s new multi-year deal with Paramount+ will place all pay-per-view prelims, Fight Night cards, and shoulder programming exclusively on the platform. The partnership marks a significant shift in the promotion’s broadcast strategy. Paramount+ will also host embedded features, press conferences, and archival fight content. The January event was intended to showcase this new streaming era with UFC 324.

Topuria took virtually no damage in his win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, leaving many confused as to why the UFC sidelined him for an extended period. Early rumors suggested he would headline the first Paramount+ card, but those plans have changed. Spanish reporter Alvaro Colmenero recently addressed the timeline surrounding the champion’s return.

Things have changed a lot. There have been private situations, and you’re going to be very surprised at what’s going to happen in lightweight. I can confirm that Ilia will not fight in January. February? I doubt it a lot. If you ask me, I think Ilia will fight in spring.

Alvaro Colmenero via X

Colmenero is widely known for his close access to Topuria’s camp and his accurate reporting on internal UFC matters. He has grown into one of the most recognized voices in the Spanish-speaking MMA community. His coverage often includes detailed breakdowns of fighter preparations and scheduling developments. His consistency has made his updates highly regarded among fans and analysts.

There were internal discussions about a possible matchup with Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett for the landmark card. Arman Tsarukyan also stated that he believed a quick January turnaround was possible after earning the No.1 contender slot by defeating Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar. These options kept the lightweight division in a state of active speculation. The January shift now places the next move on hold.

Ilia Topuria’s plans extend beyond simply defending his lightweight title, as he has expressed interest in moving to welterweight. A potential clash with Islam Makhachev at 170 pounds has been viewed as a path toward three-division ambitions. His delayed return now feeds into these broader aspirations. The stakes continue to rise as the UFC determines its next chapter.

Charles Oliveira talks about his loss to Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria has rapidly established himself as one of the UFC’s most dangerous knockout artists, rising through two divisions with precision and power. He became the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway and also stopped Alexander Volkanovski to become the featherweight champion. These victories cemented his reputation as a generational finisher.

Ilia Topuria knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317
Ilia Topuria knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 (via BBC)

Topuria faced Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in what marked his debut in the lightweight division, securing another knockout against one of the most decorated fighters in the weight class. Recently, Oliveira spoke to a group of Brazilian students about the tactical mistakes he made during the bout. He addressed what went wrong in the opening exchanges and how Ilia Topuria capitalized.

What I should have done? I should have stayed on the outside, kicked him, make him come forward and then shoot for the takedown. I was dumb… what was I thinking? I’ll take him down and put my hands on him. I did throw my hands. But he landed first. So I was stupid. It happens it is a part of fighting. It’s all in your mind.

Charles Oliveira via X

Oliveira’s strong rebound with a dominant win over Mateusz Gamrot at UFC Rio restored his momentum, but the broader picture still revolves around Topuria. The champion’s rise continues to reshape expectations across divisions. His power and precision keep him central to future matchmaking discussions. Ilia Topuria’s next move now stands as one of the UFC’s most influential storyline drivers.

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