WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Ilia Topuria of Spain faces Justin Gaethje in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
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Ilia Topuria suffered two broken orbital bones as a result of his fourth-round TKO loss to Justin Gaethje on Sunday at the White House in the main event of UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje finally captured the elusive undisputed UFC championship after falling short twice before.
Topuria, who was previously undefeated and on a historic run, was gracious in defeat on Instagram. Details about his facial injuries spread on Wednesday after Topuria was released from the hospital. Let's talk MMA.
Many expected to hear Topuria had at least one fractured orbital, but two was at least a mild surprise. Per the medical report relayed by MARCA, he suffered non-displaced fractures of both orbital bones, with the right eye taking the brunt of the damage. Because the breaks are non-displaced and the bone stayed in alignment, doctors determined no surgery is needed, which is the best-case read on an injury that looked far worse live.
That outcome ended the unbeaten run the former champion had built over his entire career. The fractures explain the vision problems that ultimately forced the stoppage, with his eyes swelling badly as the fight wore on.
Gaethje's uppercut in the clinch was the tone-setter. The shot popped Topuria when they were in close proximity and it dealt El Matador damage early.
In the second round, Gaethje survived an all-out assault on his body. Topuria landed crushing body punches that nearly finished Gaethje. However, Topuria made the mistake of chasing a submission rather than forcing Gaethje to stand.
That miscalculation likely cost him the fight. In the third, Gaethje recovered and pounded Topuria with nasty lead right hands and more uppercuts. The Octagon doctor nearly stopped the fight after the third, but was convinced to keep it going.
Topuria fought well in the fourth, but took even more damage and ultimately his corner stopped the fight before the fifth round.
After the loss, Topuria took to Instagram to congratulate Gaethje on his performance. He made no excuses and said he wanted a rematch.
In the post, Topuria told Gaethje "you said you'd leave your mark on my face… and you did," and said he lost vision in his right eye in the first round and his left by the end of the second. He insisted there were "no excuses" after one of the best camps of his life, and signed off vowing the two would “have our rematch.”
It's hard to say for sure. Thankfully, he doesn't need surgery to repair his injuries, but there is no question he's likely looking at a lengthier absence than normal. A return in early 2027 seems most likely.
As for the rematch Topuria wants, Gaethje has been cool on the idea, arguing he won decisively and made Topuria quit on the stool. Whether the UFC books it will likely depend on how Gaethje’s reign and Topuria's recovery unfold over the coming months.
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