Former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria will likely be out for the remainder of 2026 after a brutal loss at the White House.
Ilia Topuria left the Octagon a bloody mess as he suffered the first loss of his career to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday. Topuria, previously unbeaten in his MMA career, lost to Gaethje by TKO (corner stoppage) in what was his first lightweight title defense.
Topuria suffered a broken orbital bone and several facial lacerations in the loss to Gaethje. In his first post-fight comments after UFC Freedom 250, Topuria called for an immediate rematch with Gaethje for a shot at reclaiming the lightweight throne.
But with top contender Arman Tsarukyan waiting in the wings, Gaethje will likely fight Tsarukyan next, unless Gaethje opts to retire and hang up the gloves. That would reopen the door for Topuria and others to challenge for the lightweight belt.
As Topuria plots his next move inside the Octagon, his return hit a major speed bump after the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports announced the medical suspensions from UFC Freedom 250.
Ilia Topuria issued six-month medical suspension after UFC Freedom 250
As shared by California State Athletic Commission director Andy Foster, one of the event’s regulators, Topuria was handed a 180-day suspension pending clearance from an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He’ll miss at least 60 days, regardless of potential clearance.
Gaethje and former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira were both handed 180-day suspensions from the commission pending medical clearance. Gaethje and Pereira will need to undergo maxillofacial CT scans during their suspensions.
Heavyweight Derrick Lewis, who suffered a brutal knockout loss to Josh Hokit, was handed just a 45-day medical suspension to recover from his ailments.
Does Ilia Topuria deserve an immediate rematch after UFC Freedom 250? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
