Topuria reveals fractured orbital bones after Gaethje loss: 'I wouldn't be able to fight again'

Ilia Topuria has revealed he suffered fractures to both orbital bones, his nose and his foot during his lightweight title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, saying his brother’s corner stoppage after the fourth round almost certainly preserved his ability to compete at all.

The former two-division champion, who suffered the first defeat of his professional career in the June bout, told One on One MMA that he was unable to open his eyes by the time Aleksandre Topuria waved off the contest. “I couldn’t see. I couldn’t open my eyes,” he said. “I had blood in my eyes and it felt like thousands of crystals were inside them.”

Topuria stopped short of saying he would have asked his corner to end the fight himself, but made clear he understood and fully endorsed the call. “I wouldn’t say, ‘Stop it,’ but I respect the decision that my brother took in that moment. I would do the same,” he said.

The gravity of the injuries left him in no doubt about what was at stake. “100 percent. If he wouldn’t have stopped the fight, probably I wouldn’t be able to fight again in my life,” Topuria said. “I’m so grateful with my brother that he decided to stop me, because I love what I’m doing. I had a bad experience, but I still have a lot of things ahead of me.”

Topuria confirmed he has not yet been cleared for contact training following the injuries. He expects to return to full training in January and is targeting a comeback fight sometime between April and June 2027. He has expressed a desire for a rematch with Gaethje, though no bout has been formally announced.