Topuria Coach Disputes UFC Return Claim, Says No MMA Training Has Started After June Injury
Updated
Updated · Bloody Elbow · Sep 15
Topuria Coach Disputes UFC Return Claim, Says No MMA Training Has Started After June Injury
3 articles · Updated · Bloody Elbow · Sep 15
Summary
Jesus Gallo said Ilia Topuria is not close to an Octagon return, contradicting Dana White’s statement last week that the former champion was ready to come back.
Gallo said Topuria has not begun a real training camp or any meaningful MMA training, adding the team is only now focused on restarting preparation.
That undercuts immediate speculation about comeback opponents such as Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett, even as White has promoted Topuria-Pimblett as a main-event-level fight.
Gallo had said in June that Topuria’s injury recovery could allow a fight by December, after doctors projected 6 to 8 weeks of healing followed by another 2 to 3 months before full contact work.