Topuria's Coach Shuts Down Dana White's Return Claims

Ilia Topuria's coach has contradicted Dana White's claim that the former UFC lightweight champion is nearing a return to the Octagon.

Jesus Gallo told a Spanish reporter that Topuria has not started an MMA training camp despite White recently stating the matchmakers are considering options for his comeback, according to BJPenn.com. "That's news to me. I don't know what he is referring to or what information he's using to make that kind of announcement," Gallo said. "Right now, we are focused on starting to train and getting a training camp back up and running. At this moment, [a comeback fight] isn't our focus."

Recovery From UFC Freedom 250 Loss Still Ongoing

Topuria suffered multiple broken orbital bones in his upset first title defense loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 earlier this year. White had raised eyebrows by saying Topuria is "ready to fight" and floated potential matchups including a grudge match with Paddy Pimblett and an immediate Gaethje rematch.

Gallo pushed back on that timeline. "He's really progressing incredibly well, but we haven't started a real training camp yet. We haven't even truly begun any kind of MMA training yet," the coach told reporters.

Topuria won the vacant lightweight belt by stopping Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 before taking a year away from the cage for personal issues. He has not publicly announced a target date for his next fight.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Ilia Topuria’s coach shuts down imminent UFC comeback despite Dana White’s claims