Ilia Topuria says he is ready and has been cleared to get back into the octagon.
“Final medical tests done. I’m back,” stated Topuria on X.
He also ripped into his critics and make a shady accusation against Gaethje.
“To all the clowns who’ve been talking s–t and counting me out this whole time, here I am. Now let’s see who’s got the balls. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything weird on them. See you soon,” he said alluding to the unproven fan theory, notion that something was up with Justin Gaethje’s gloves during their fight at UFC Freedom 250.
UFC officials have not expressed any concern or released any findings about Gaethje’s gloves that night. Gaethje defeated Topuria to become the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion.
On the Joe Rogan Show, Gaethje laughed about the theory that there was something in or on his gloves during the fight.
“What a compliment! People saying I’m juiced, what a compliment! People saying I’ve got bricks in my f—–g gloves, what a compliment!” he joked.
Topuria took a shot at Gaethje and his manager Ali Abdelaziz before he signed off.
“By the way Justin, f–k you. And Ali, f–k you too,” he wrote.
Final medical tests done. I’m back. To all the clowns who’ve been talking shit and counting me out this whole time, here I am. Now let’s see who’s got the balls. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything…
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) September 16, 2026
Gaethje fired back with a comment of his own: “94 days and the best you could come up with is a lame excuse. As terrible as your last performance. Do better kid.”
94 days and the best you could come up with is a lame excuse. As terrible as your last performance. Do better kid.
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) September 16, 2026
Abdelaziz also had his say: “Welcome back Champ, I’m glad you are ok. I’m not gonna give you the F word back because your son is my friend and I cannot say bad words to his father, tell him I said what’s up he is the man.”
Welcome back Champ, I’m glad you are ok. I’m not gonna give you the F word back because your son is my friend and I cannot say bad words to his father, tell him I said what’s up he is the man 🌹
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) September 16, 2026
It is believed that Topuria suffered non-displaced fractures to both orbital bones and a broken nose during the UFC Freedom fight.
After the fight itself, Topuria offered no excuses.
“No excuses. I had one of the best camps of my life. I came in sharp, prepared, and ready. Last night was your night. That’s the nature of this game. Glory and pain walk side by side. I’ll heal. I’ll rest. And I’ll return stronger, wiser, and far more dangerous,” he wrote on Instagram after the loss.
