TLDR
- Ilia Topuria has been medically cleared to return three months after losing his UFC title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250
- Topuria’s corner stopped the fight after the fourth round due to severe facial damage that affected his vision
- The former champion suggested officials should check Gaethje’s gloves before any rematch, implying possible irregularities
- A rematch is reportedly being discussed while other contenders like Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Paddy Pimblett seek title shots
- Gaethje plans to defend his title in 2027 but has not responded to Topuria’s glove accusations
Sources: talksport.com | sherdog.com
Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has been medically cleared to return to competition three months after losing his title to Justin Gaethje. The fighter announced his clearance on social media while making controversial claims about his opponent’s equipment.
Topuria lost his championship belt at UFC Freedom 250 in a brutal main event held at the White House. The fight ended when his corner stopped the bout after the fourth round due to severe facial damage that affected his vision.
The Fight That Changed Everything
Gaethje faced serious trouble in the second round when Topuria nearly finished him. However, “The Highlight” survived the onslaught and turned the fight around, piling on damage to Topuria’s face over the following rounds.
The injuries were serious enough that Topuria’s corner made the difficult decision to call off the fight. This gave Gaethje the undisputed championship and handed Topuria his first loss in the lightweight division.
Arman Tsarukyan says Justin Gaethje won’t mention his name because he doesn’t want to face a wrestler
“Justin Gaethje never says my name, he’s cheering for Ruffy because he wants an easier matchup stylistically. He doesn’t want to fight a wrestler, he’s a scared boy” pic.twitter.com/qNECovyrZe
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) September 16, 2026
Topuria took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his medical clearance on September 16, 2026. His post included strong words for critics and a controversial suggestion about his opponent.
“Final medical tests done. I’m back,” Topuria wrote. “To all the clowns who’ve been talking sh*t and counting me out this whole time, here I am.”
He continued with a direct challenge to other fighters in the division. “Now let’s see who’s got the balls. Thanks to everyone for the support.”
Glove Controversy Emerges
The most eyebrow-raising part of Topuria’s statement came at the end of his post. He suggested that officials should inspect Gaethje’s gloves before any potential rematch.
“Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything weird on them,” Topuria wrote. The comment implies the former champion believes something irregular may have occurred during their fight.
The accusation has already drawn criticism from other fighters in the UFC. Arman Tsarukyan dismissed Topuria’s claims as “just excuses” for the loss.
A rematch between Topuria and Gaethje is reportedly being discussed by UFC officials. The lightweight division remains wide open with several contenders positioning themselves for title shots.
Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Paddy Pimblett have all won their recent fights. Each fighter is campaigning for a chance to face Gaethje for the championship.
Gaethje has stated he plans to defend his title again in 2027. The champion has not yet responded publicly to Topuria’s glove accusations.
Topuria held both the featherweight and lightweight championships before his loss to Gaethje. His return to full training marks the beginning of his comeback attempt.
The fighter’s brother is also scheduled to compete in the UFC in November 2026. Meanwhile, Topuria will need to work his way back into title contention after the corner stoppage loss.
