After a few months out of action following losing his lightweight title to Justin Gaethje by way of a corner stoppage TKO after the 4th round, Ilia Topuria has now been medically cleared to compete again and is back in training.
Given how much of Topuria’s persona has been built on his supreme self-confidence, there’s been a lot of speculation about how he would respond to the damaging defeat he’d suffered.
Some had predicted he would return more humble than before, but judging by his new post it looks like it might just turn out to be business as usual, and in fact he’s already fired shots at his rival Gaethje.
“Final medical tests done. I’m back,” Topuria wrote on X. “To all the clowns who’ve been talking sh*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.”
Needless to say Gaethje has quickly responded to shoot down Topuria’s claim.
“94 days and the best you could come up with is a lame excuse,” Topuria replied on his post. “As terrible as your last performance. Do better kid.”
Gaethje also gave a brief interview in which he shrugs off Topuria’s claim and indicates he’d have no problem giving him a rematch.
“People don’t believe that,” Gaethje said. “I’ve done that to everybody’s face that I fought.
“Am I willing to [rematch him]? I just beat the sh*t out of him, of course I would.”
It’s hard to tell how serious Topuria was with his comment, but while it’s certainly got people talking about a potential rematch, not many seem to be buying into the idea that Gaethje cheated.
Instead it’s a play that has the potential to backfire, as it could be read as either an unintended compliment about Gaethje’s punching power, or a sign that he’s had to resort to denial to come to terms with the first loss of his career.
Whatever the case, there’s no doubt that everyone will be eager to tune in and find out if Topuria can get back to winning ways when he does eventually step back into the Octagon.
