Former UFC two-weight champion Ilia Topuria has been spotted enjoying some time away from the Octagon alongside Spain and Barcelona forward Ferran Torres in Ibiza.
Videos shared across social media showed the two celebrating together at a nightclub, marking one of Topuria’s first public appearances since losing the UFC lightweight title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. The defeat ended Topuria’s unbeaten professional record and brought his reign as lightweight champion to a close.
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Although Topuria has yet to publicly discuss his next fight in detail, the former champion appears to be taking a brief break before beginning preparations for his return to competition.
Ilia Topuria celebrates alongside Spain’s World Cup hero
Ilia Topuria’s appearance with Ferran Torres comes after the Barcelona forward enjoyed one of the biggest moments of his football career.
Torres played a decisive role in Spain’s FIFA World Cup triumph over Argentina, scoring the winning goal in extra time to seal the championship. The dramatic finish secured Spain’s first World Cup title since 2010 and cemented Torres’ place among the tournament’s standout performers.
The pair have developed a close friendship over the years and have frequently supported one another’s careers. Torres has attended Topuria’s UFC fights, while Topuria has publicly backed Spain’s national team and several of the country’s top footballers.
With both athletes enjoying some well-earned downtime, Ibiza provided the backdrop for a rare meeting between two of Spain’s biggest sporting stars following demanding championship campaigns.
Topuria’s UFC return remains in focus
Despite the brief break, attention has already shifted toward Ilia Topuria’s return to the Octagon.
The former champion has expressed his desire to reclaim the lightweight title, but Justin Gaethje has shown little interest in granting an immediate rematch. Gaethje has instead argued that Arman Tsarukyan is the more deserving title challenger following his recent run of victories.
That leaves ‘El Matador’ likely needing another marquee win before earning another shot at UFC gold. A long-discussed clash with Paddy Pimblett has emerged as one of the leading possibilities. The rivalry between the two has simmered for years, and Pimblett strengthened his credentials with a dominant first-round submission victory over Benoît Saint Denis in his most recent outing.
While speculation over his next opponent continues, Topuria appears to be making the most of his time away from competition before beginning the next chapter of his lightweight campaign.
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