Topuria Recovers, Accuses Gaethje After Loss
Topuria Recovers, Accuses Gaethje After Loss
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Key Points
1
Topuria’s two broken orbital bones did not require surgery, despite the facial damage being described as the most severe of his career.
2
Before losing to Gaethje, Topuria had won UFC championships at both 145 and 155 pounds and recorded consecutive knockout victories over Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.
3
Gaethje was competing for the UFC lightweight title for the first time since 2022, while Topuria entered the bout seeking the third defense of his lightweight championship.
4
Belal Muhammad suggested that a bout with Paddy Pimblett would be a more logical next fight for Topuria than an immediate rematch with Gaethje.
5
Diaz’s comparison to Conor McGregor was rooted in his own history with McGregor: Diaz accepted a short-notice replacement fight after Rafael dos Anjos withdrew with a foot injury and defeated McGregor at UFC 196 in 2016.
Ilia Topuria has recovered from two broken orbital bones and cleared medical testing after his fourth-round stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, MMA Sucka reported. The former two-division champion accused Gaethje of placing something unusual on his gloves and vowed to have them checked if they face again, though no evidence of wrongdoing has surfaced.
Topuria's facial injuries were the most severe of his career, but his broken orbital bones did not require surgery. The loss marked his first career defeat after winning UFC titles at 145 and 155 pounds with consecutive knockouts over Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski.
Topuria Demands Investigation Into Glove Tampering
Topuria has made serious allegations against Gaethje, claiming his opponent may have tampered with his gloves during their title fight, MMA Weekly reported. The fighter warned Gaethje and his manager Ali Abdelaziz that he plans to examine the gloves in detail if a rematch occurs. Yahoo Sports noted that Topuria issued a stern warning to both men as he prepares his return.
Nate Diaz Mocks Topuria's Title Record
Nate Diaz called Topuria a "punching bag," arguing his undefeated reputation was inflated before facing a truly demanding lightweight opponent like Gaethje. Diaz compared Topuria's rise to Conor McGregor's early trajectory—a comparison rooted in Diaz's own history. In 2016, Diaz accepted a short-notice replacement fight after Rafael dos Anjos withdrew with a foot injury and defeated McGregor at UFC 196.
Muhammad Argues Against Immediate Rematch
Belal Muhammad said Topuria does not deserve an immediate rematch because Gaethje's victory was decisive. Muhammad suggested that a bout with Paddy Pimblett would be a more logical next fight for Topuria than facing Gaethje again. Gaethje was competing for the UFC lightweight title for the first time since 2022, while Topuria entered the bout defending his title for the third time.
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