UFC champ Ilia Topuria pauses career amid extortion plot and abuse allegations Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY December 17, 2025 at 12:12 AM 0 An undefeated UFC star is taking an unexpected hiatus from competition because he's dealing with an extortion plot tied to "false allegations of domestic abuse." Ilia Topuria revealed on Monday, Dec. 15 why he is temporarily stepping away from the Octagon and won't immediately defend his UFC lightweight championship after weeks of speculation when he wasn't included on next month's UFC 324 card.
- - UFC champ Ilia Topuria pauses career amid extortion plot and abuse allegations
Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY December 17, 2025 at 12:12 AM
0
An undefeated UFC star is taking an unexpected hiatus from competition because he's dealing with an extortion plot tied to "false allegations of domestic abuse."
Ilia Topuria revealed on Monday, Dec. 15 why he is temporarily stepping away from the Octagon and won't immediately defend his UFC lightweight championship after weeks of speculation when he wasn't included on next month's UFC 324 card. The 28-year-old said in a lengthy statement released on social media that he has been "subjected to severe and unacceptable pressure" in recent months and sought legal action related to the matter.
Topuria didn't specify who made the alleged threats, but previously announced he would not be fighting in the first quarter of 2026 due to "a difficult moment in my personal life."
UFC president Dana White speaks after UFC 68 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 3, 2007.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gxvStYi class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president Dana White speaks after UFC 68 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 3, 2007.
">UFC president Dana White speaks after UFC 68 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 3, 2007.
" src=https://ift.tt/gxvStYi class=caas-img>Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping listen as UFC president Dana White speaks on Nov. 15, 2007, at the final press conference for their fight at UFC 78: Validation.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wvjlcRM class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping listen as UFC president Dana White speaks on Nov. 15, 2007, at the final press conference for their fight at UFC 78: Validation.
">Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping listen as UFC president Dana White speaks on Nov. 15, 2007, at the final press conference for their fight at UFC 78: Validation.
" src=https://ift.tt/wvjlcRM class=caas-img>
UFC president Dana White addresses the audience during a press conference to promote the sport in Puerto Rico on March 26, 2014, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/yIsfhJb class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president Dana White addresses the audience during a press conference to promote the sport in Puerto Rico on March 26, 2014, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
">UFC president Dana White addresses the audience during a press conference to promote the sport in Puerto Rico on March 26, 2014, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
" src=https://ift.tt/yIsfhJb class=caas-img>Anthony Pettis celebrates with UFC president Dana White after defeating Gilbert Menendez in their lightweight title fight during the UFC 181 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Dec. 6, 2014, in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XrZAlxC class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
Anthony Pettis celebrates with UFC president Dana White after defeating Gilbert Menendez in their lightweight title fight during the UFC 181 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Dec. 6, 2014, in Las Vegas.
">Anthony Pettis celebrates with UFC president Dana White after defeating Gilbert Menendez in their lightweight title fight during the UFC 181 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Dec. 6, 2014, in Las Vegas.
" src=https://ift.tt/XrZAlxC class=caas-img>
UFC president Dana White delivers a speech on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Bu8Wfc2 class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president Dana White delivers a speech on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
">UFC president Dana White delivers a speech on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
" src=https://ift.tt/Bu8Wfc2 class=caas-img>
Tyler Bozak of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens join UFC president Dana White, Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping for the ceremonial puck drop during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on Oct. 14, 2017, in Montreal.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/azS6mg1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
Tyler Bozak of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens join UFC president Dana White, Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping for the ceremonial puck drop during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on Oct. 14, 2017, in Montreal.
">Tyler Bozak of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens join UFC president Dana White, Georges St-Pierre and Michael Bisping for the ceremonial puck drop during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on Oct. 14, 2017, in Montreal.
" src=https://ift.tt/azS6mg1 class=caas-img>UFC president Dana White hands a trophy to Ronda Rousey after she became the first female inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at The Pearl concert theater at Palms Casino Resort on July 5, 2018, in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/B5he3tN class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president Dana White hands a trophy to Ronda Rousey after she became the first female inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at The Pearl concert theater at Palms Casino Resort on July 5, 2018, in Las Vegas.
">UFC president Dana White hands a trophy to Ronda Rousey after she became the first female inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at The Pearl concert theater at Palms Casino Resort on July 5, 2018, in Las Vegas.
" src=https://ift.tt/B5he3tN class=caas-img>UFC president Dana White gets in between Derrick Lewis and Alexander Volkov as they get into a scuffle during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 5, 2018, in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/znSRGVK class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president Dana White gets in between Derrick Lewis and Alexander Volkov as they get into a scuffle during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 5, 2018, in Las Vegas.
">UFC president Dana White gets in between Derrick Lewis and Alexander Volkov as they get into a scuffle during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena on Oct. 5, 2018, in Las Vegas.
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Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan receives the flyweight belt from UFC president Dana White following her fight against Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland in a flyweight bout during the UFC 231 event at Scotiabank Arena on Dec. 8, 2018, in Toronto.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pTmUEZG class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan receives the flyweight belt from UFC president Dana White following her fight against Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland in a flyweight bout during the UFC 231 event at Scotiabank Arena on Dec. 8, 2018, in Toronto.
">Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan receives the flyweight belt from UFC president Dana White following her fight against Joanna Jedrzejczyk of Poland in a flyweight bout during the UFC 231 event at Scotiabank Arena on Dec. 8, 2018, in Toronto.
" src=https://ift.tt/pTmUEZG class=caas-img>Dustin Poirier celebrates after receiving the title belt from UFC president Dana White during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019, in Atlanta.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9bYLJtC class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
Dustin Poirier celebrates after receiving the title belt from UFC president Dana White during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019, in Atlanta.
">Dustin Poirier celebrates after receiving the title belt from UFC president Dana White during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019, in Atlanta.
" src=https://ift.tt/9bYLJtC class=caas-img>Jon Jones of the United States talks with UFC president Dana White after defeating Thiago Santos of Brazil during their UFC light heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 6, 2019, in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JaWn8uB class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
Jon Jones of the United States talks with UFC president Dana White after defeating Thiago Santos of Brazil during their UFC light heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 6, 2019, in Las Vegas.
">Jon Jones of the United States talks with UFC president Dana White after defeating Thiago Santos of Brazil during their UFC light heavyweight title bout at T-Mobile Arena on July 6, 2019, in Las Vegas.
" src=https://ift.tt/JaWn8uB class=caas-img>President Donald Trump speaks with UFC president Dana White as they deboard Air Force One in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Feb. 20, 2020, ahead of a "Keep America Great" rally.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/kPUjy1f class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
President Donald Trump speaks with UFC president Dana White as they deboard Air Force One in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Feb. 20, 2020, ahead of a "Keep America Great" rally.
">President Donald Trump speaks with UFC president Dana White as they deboard Air Force One in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Feb. 20, 2020, ahead of a "Keep America Great" rally.
" src=https://ift.tt/kPUjy1f class=caas-img>
UFC president Dana White walks on stage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 26, 2021, in Las Vegas.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/mTZtkKh class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president Dana White walks on stage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 26, 2021, in Las Vegas.
">UFC president Dana White walks on stage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sept. 26, 2021, in Las Vegas.
" src=https://ift.tt/mTZtkKh class=caas-img>Fighter Priscila Cachoeira and UFC president Dana White hug during weigh-ins for UFC 262 at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on May 14, 2021.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/UmyJt4D class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
Fighter Priscila Cachoeira and UFC president Dana White hug during weigh-ins for UFC 262 at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on May 14, 2021.
">Fighter Priscila Cachoeira and UFC president Dana White hug during weigh-ins for UFC 262 at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on May 14, 2021.
" src=https://ift.tt/UmyJt4D class=caas-img>UFC president Dana White speaks on stage in support of Donald Trump on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fgA2Mqn class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president Dana White speaks on stage in support of Donald Trump on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
">UFC president Dana White speaks on stage in support of Donald Trump on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024, in Milwaukee.
" src=https://ift.tt/fgA2Mqn class=caas-img>Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and UFC president Dana White attend UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Ayh3iUP class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and UFC president Dana White attend UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024.
">Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and UFC president Dana White attend UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/Ayh3iUP class=caas-img>American politician Vivek Ramaswamy and UFC president Dana White attend UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/D2hoytF class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
American politician Vivek Ramaswamy and UFC president Dana White attend UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024.
">American politician Vivek Ramaswamy and UFC president Dana White attend UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena on April 13, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/D2hoytF class=caas-img>UFC president Dana White watches Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 6, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/KOPEotv class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president Dana White watches Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 6, 2024.
">UFC president Dana White watches Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 6, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/KOPEotv class=caas-img>President-elect Donald Trump speaks with UFC president Dana White during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 16, 2024.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/rKh364D class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
President-elect Donald Trump speaks with UFC president Dana White during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 16, 2024.
">President-elect Donald Trump speaks with UFC president Dana White during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden in New York on Nov. 16, 2024.
" src=https://ift.tt/rKh364D class=caas-img>Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks with the UFC president and CEO Dana White after the inauguration of president Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OxdnbMu class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks with the UFC president and CEO Dana White after the inauguration of president Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.
">Former U.S. President Barack Obama speaks with the UFC president and CEO Dana White after the inauguration of president Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington.
" src=https://ift.tt/OxdnbMu class=caas-img>UFC president and CEO Dana White attends Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 22, 2025, in New York.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/cIkJj9K class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president and CEO Dana White attends Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 22, 2025, in New York.
">UFC president and CEO Dana White attends Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 22, 2025, in New York.
" src=https://ift.tt/cIkJj9K class=caas-img>
UFC president and CEO Dana White speaks with Donald Trump at the memorial service for assassinated political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/4eQXuZg class=caas-img data-headline="See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches" data-caption="
UFC president and CEO Dana White speaks with Donald Trump at the memorial service for assassinated political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
">UFC president and CEO Dana White speaks with Donald Trump at the memorial service for assassinated political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.
" src=https://ift.tt/4eQXuZg class=caas-img>
1 / 41See Dana White's career as UFC president, from breaking up fights to RNC speeches
UFC president Dana White speaks after UFC 68 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 3, 2007.
"This was not a decision I took lightly," Topuria said in his statement posted to Instagram on Monday and translated from Spanish. "However, when circumstances arise that threaten your personal integrity, your family, and your reputation, there comes a point when you must address them directly. 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."
"All relevant evidence has been carefully preserved and documented, including audio recordings, written communications, witness statements, and video material," Topuria added. "This evidence has been submitted to the appropriate judicial authorities in order to pursue legal action for attempted extortion, falsification of evidence, misappropriation of funds and personal property, and multiple threats. My initial decision to remain silent was made solely to protect my children, who are the most important part of my life."
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Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: December 16, 2025 at 02:27PM on Source: OPERA MAG
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