‘Not in the right headspace’: Matt Brown concerned Ilia Topuria could struggle in the wake of messy, public divorce
MMA Fighting • • sports
Key Points:
- Ilia Topuria, a dominant UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, is currently absent from competition due to a public and complicated divorce and custody battle, with no set timeline for his return.
- UFC veteran Matt Brown expressed concerns that Topuria’s personal struggles could negatively impact his mental state and performance if he returns to fighting too soon, drawing from his own experience with divorce affecting his career.
- Despite the UFC’s expectation that the interim lightweight title winner will face Topuria next, Dana White has not confirmed this, reflecting uncertainty around Topuria’s availability amid his ongoing personal issues.
- Brown highlighted how personal stressors like divorce can subtly and significantly affect an athlete’s physical recovery, mental sharpness, and overall performance, emphasizing the importance of taking
