"Over the past several weeks, I have made the difficult decision to temporarily step away from defending my title. This was not a decision I took lightly. However, when circumstances arise that threaten your personal integrity, your family, and your reputation, there comes a point when you must address them directly, Topuria said in a statement posted to Instagram on Monday."
"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. The truth is not a matter of opinion it is a matter of evidence. All relevant evidence has been carefully preserved and documented, including audio recordings, written communications, witness statements, and video material."
Ilia Topuria temporarily stepped away from defending the UFC lightweight title to address an alleged attempted extortion involving threatened false domestic-abuse allegations tied to financial demands. Topuria is not scheduled for UFC 324, which will be headlined by an interim lightweight title between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett on January 24. Topuria preserved audio recordings, written communications, witness statements, and video material and submitted that evidence to judicial authorities to pursue legal action for attempted extortion, falsification of evidence, misappropriation of funds and property, and multiple threats. Topuria remains undefeated at 17-0 and won the title from Alexander Volkanovski by knockout in February 2024.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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