Ilia Topuria has opened up about the frightening consequences of his first professional MMA defeat, revealing that his brother, Aleksandre Topuria, may have saved both his eyesight and his fighting career by stopping his UFC Freedom 250 contest against Justin Gaethje. The former two-division UFC champion admits he would have continued fighting despite being seriously injured, but is now grateful that his brother made the difficult decision to end the contest.

Topuria suffered a devastating fourth-round stoppage defeat against Gaethje in the main event at the White House in June 2026. The loss ended his unbeaten professional record and cost him the undisputed UFC lightweight championship. However, the damage he sustained during the fight could have had much more serious consequences if his corner had allowed him to continue into the fifth round.

Speaking in an interview with Adam Catterall, Topuria revealed how much he appreciates his brother’s intervention during one of the most difficult moments of his sporting career.

“If he hadn’t stopped me from fighting, I probably wouldn’t have been able to fight again in my life,” Topuria said.

“I’m so grateful to my brother that he decided to stop me because I love what I’m doing.”

His comments have offered a fresh perspective on the fight, highlighting how a corner’s responsibility goes beyond winning or losing. In a sport where fighters are often determined to push through pain, recognising when to stop can be equally important.

Ilia Topuria suffered serious injuries against Justin Gaethje

The UFC Freedom 250 main event proved to be a brutal experience for Topuria. Gaethje used his aggressive striking and constant pressure to put the former champion under enormous difficulty throughout the contest.

By the later stages of the fight, Topuria was struggling with significant facial injuries and vision problems. His corner eventually decided that continuing was too dangerous and stopped the contest between the fourth and fifth rounds.

The Spanish-Georgian fighter suffered fractures to both orbital bones, a broken nose and a broken foot. The injuries required an extended recovery period, raising questions about when he would be able to compete again.

Topuria admitted that he was almost unable to see properly during the contest. Despite the seriousness of his condition, his competitive instinct meant he wanted to continue fighting.

His brother Aleksandre, who was part of his corner team, made the decision to protect him from further punishment.

Topuria has since described the defeat as the worst day of his professional career. Losing his undefeated record was difficult, particularly after building his reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC lightweight division.

However, the 29-year-old believes the experience has given him a different perspective on his career and what he wants to achieve in the future.

Topuria targets UFC return between April and June 2027

Despite the severity of his injuries, Topuria is already looking ahead to his comeback. The former champion expects to return to full training in January 2027, with a potential UFC appearance between April, May and June.

He has continued working on his technique and strength and conditioning during rehabilitation. However, he has not yet received clearance for full-contact activities, including sparring, wrestling and grappling.

UFC CEO Dana White has also indicated that the promotion expects Topuria to return in early 2027. Nevertheless, his recovery remains the priority, and the UFC has not officially confirmed a comeback date or opponent.

Topuria is determined to return at the highest level rather than rush back into competition. His physical recovery will be particularly important after the damage he sustained against Gaethje.

The former champion also revealed that the defeat has not reduced his motivation. Instead, the setback has made him even more determined to prove himself again inside the Octagon.

“The fire is bigger right now,” Topuria said, explaining how his desire to compete has grown following the experience.

Justin Gaethje rematch and Paddy Pimblett rivalry remain possibilities

A rematch with Justin Gaethje remains one of Topuria’s biggest ambitions. The Georgian-Spanish fighter wants another opportunity to face the American after losing his lightweight championship at UFC Freedom 250.

However, Gaethje has not shown much interest in immediately accepting a rematch, leaving the UFC with several possible directions for the lightweight division.

Another name that continues to attract attention is Paddy Pimblett. The two fighters have shared a heated rivalry for years, with their exchanges outside the Octagon regularly attracting attention from MMA fans.

Pimblett has questioned whether Topuria can return to his previous level following the first defeat of his professional career. He believes the loss could have a lasting psychological impact on the former champion.

Topuria, meanwhile, has never hidden his dislike for the Englishman. During their previous exchanges, he delivered a memorable warning, saying he would “eat him like a sausage.”

A potential Topuria-Pimblett showdown would be an attractive matchup for the UFC, although nothing has been officially announced. Topuria has indicated that Pimblett could be an option for his return in April 2027.

For now, the priority is completing his rehabilitation and returning to full training without complications.

Topuria’s latest revelation has also highlighted the importance of his relationship with Aleksandre. While the former champion may have wanted to continue fighting, his brother was willing to make a decision that could have changed the course of his career.

The defeat against Gaethje may have ended his unbeaten run, but Topuria is not ready to walk away from MMA. Instead, he wants to return stronger, reclaim his position among the lightweight division’s elite and settle unfinished business inside the Octagon.

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