Topuria Cleared For UFC Return After Gaethje Loss

Ilia Topuria has received medical clearance to resume training three months after his fourth-round stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.

The former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion announced his return on social media Tuesday, three months after the brutal beating he absorbed in the White House main event. Gaethje retained his lightweight title when Topuria's corner waved off the fight after four rounds, with El Matador's face swollen to the point his vision was compromised.

Topuria mixed his comeback announcement with a pointed accusation toward the champion. "To all the clowns who've been talking sh*t and counting me out this whole time, here I am," he wrote on X, per Sherdog. "Next time I'll make sure they check Justin's gloves so he doesn't put anything weird on them."

A rematch between the two is reportedly under discussion, though the lightweight title picture remains crowded. Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway and Paddy Pimblett are all coming off wins and angling for a crack at Gaethje, who has indicated he'll return to action in 2027.

Gaethje nearly got stopped in the second round of their June meeting before weathering Topuria's surge and breaking him down over the next two frames. Topuria had moved up from featherweight for the bout after losing his 145-pound strap earlier in the year.