Ilia Topuria Already Plotting UFC Return After First Career Loss, Dana White Reveals

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After the beating Ilia Topuria endured at the hands of Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, it’s fair to wonder if “El Matador” will ever be the same again. For the unversed, the Spaniard suffered two broken orbital bones, a shattered septum, and a broken foot as he lost his undisputed lightweight title on June 14.

A few days ago, Topuria finally returned to the public eye and broke his silence with a nine-part essay on his website. In it, he detailed his physical condition immediately after the fight while also giving fans an insight into his mental state. Topuria admitted that he couldn’t even look at himself in the mirror the day after losing to Gaethje.

His loss of confidence was also clear when he revealed that he can’t predict what will happen in his next fight. That’s a huge contrast to what fans had become accustomed to seeing from him, especially when he celebrated his victories as if they were already guaranteed ahead of UFC 317 and the White House event.

That’s why many fans expected Topuria to take an extended break from the cage to fully recover from his injuries. However, it seems “El Matador” is already thinking about a return. According to Dana White, Topuria is already looking to make his comeback.

In a recent interview with Jim Rome, the UFC CEO confirmed that Topuria is ready to fight. While the promotion doesn’t have him booked for anything at the moment, White made it clear that the company is ready whenever the former champion is.

He said, “Our guys are always in touch with him. We don’t have him on the schedule right now, but Topuria is ready to fight, and we’re ready for him.”

Rome then asked whether the Spaniard could rematch Gaethje for the title or finally settle his long-running beef with Paddy Pimblett.

White didn’t seem opposed to either option, saying, “Both sound good to me. They’re both great. We don’t lose with either one of those fights. They are both great fights; I don’t know. Obviously the rematch with Gaethje is incredible. A Paddy Pimblett fight is amazing — as bad as those two hate each other.”

 

ALSO READ:Joe Rogan Cites Alexander Volkanovski to Warn Ilia Topuria Against Rushing Back After Brutal Loss at UFC Freedom 250

While a rematch with Gaethje could be a slobberknocker, the champion has already said he doesn’t want to give Topuria an immediate rematch. Gaethje pointed to the former champion quitting on the stool at the end of the fourth round and believes Arman Tsarukyan is the more deserving contender if he can beat Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331.

Meanwhile, the long-awaited grudge fight against Pimblett certainly makes sense. The bitter rivals have traded insults for years, famously clashing at a fighter hotel in 2022 during UFC London before nearly coming to blows inside the Octagon again following Topuria’s title win at UFC 317.

Topuria’s loss to Gaethje was the first of his professional career in 18 fights. He entered the bout having defeated Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in succession, with all three victories coming by knockout.

 

Meanwhile, Gaethje’s win in June was his third straight victory after previously beating Rafael Fiziev and Pimblett at UFC 324. The reigning champion had even considered retirement before the bout but has indicated that he plans to keep competing following the result.

Pimblett, meanwhile, recently bounced back by finishing Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 in just 52 seconds after losing the interim title fight earlier this year. With all three men now in the mix, it will be fascinating to see how the 155-pound title picture unfolds.