Ilia Topuria , by all indications, is 100% recovered. Defeated by Justin Gaethje at UFC Casa Branca , in a fight where he suffered facial fractures, the Spaniard lost his lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg), his undefeated record, and some of the confidence of fans and experts. Now, the former champion seeks to regain his lost ground.
In a post on X, Topuria stated that he has completed his final medical exams and is cleared to resume his activities. The Spaniard also responded to those who began questioning his future after the defeat and assured that he intends to show his worth again inside the octagon.
“The final medical exams are complete. I’m back. To all the clowns who kept talking trash and writing me off all this time, here I am. Now let’s see who has the courage,” wrote Ilia Topuria.
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Following that, the former champion thanked everyone for the support he received during his recovery period and once again taunted Justin Gaethje . Topuria also hinted that the American's gloves should be checked before a possible rematch between the two, and indicated that he intends to return soon.
“Thank you all for your support. Next time, I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything strange in them. See you soon,” the former champion concluded.
Final medical tests done. I'm back. To all the clowns who've been talking shit and counting me out this whole time, here I am. Now let's see who's got the balls. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time I'll make sure they check Justin's gloves so he doesn't put anything…
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) September 16, 2026
Justin Gaethje transformed Ilia Topuria's face at UFC Casa Branca
Topuria was punished by Gaethje in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
After a balanced first round, Ilia Topuria returned for the second determined to justify his five-to-one odds against Justin Gaethje at UFC Casa Branca . Despite landing some good strikes and coming close to finishing the fight, the American held on, and the Spaniard returned for the third round already showing clear signs of fatigue.
With Topuria slowing down, Gaethje began to find his range with precise jabs and even managed to stagger the former champion with a powerful straight punch. Gradually, the Spaniard's face became deformed from the accumulated damage, until, in the break between the fourth and fifth rounds, his team opted to stop the fight.
After the fight, it was confirmed that Topuria suffered fractures to the orbital bones of her face and to her nose.
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