The stain on Ilia Topuria’s career is permanent after the beating he took from Justin Gaethje. But can he ever fully recover from the defeat?
You can’t help but wonder, even as the possibility of a rematch between the UFC stars grows stronger.
Apparently Topuria’s eyes, brutally swollen in his loss to Gaethje at the White House, have healed. “Final medical tests done,’’ Topuria wrote on X Wednesday, Sept. 16. “I’m back.’’
But surely his ego remains severely damaged after Gaethje handed Topuria the first loss of his career June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House. How else to account for what he insinuated?
“Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything weird on them,’’ Topuria wrote on X.
An unsubstantiated accusation
of cheating felt like desperation for the man who was 17-0 and widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC before he lost the lightweight title bout to Gaethje.
On X, Gaethje responded, “94 days and the best you could come up with is a lame excuse. As terrible as your last performance. Do better kid.’’
Gaethje addresses Topuria rematch talk
During a subsequent interview at an airport, Gaethje further addressed Topuria’s allegation of cheating, saying, “Oh, people don’t believe that.’’
In combat sports, there are no prescribed ways to ensure a rematch. But this is a novel approach from Topuria, who also wrote on X, “To all the clowns who’ve been talking (expletive) and counting me out this whole time, here I am. Now let’s see who’s got the (courage). Thanks to everyone for the support.’’
Gaethje fielded questions in an interview posted by being interviewed after Topuria’s insinuation about loaded gloves.
Would you ever take him on again?
“We’ll see.’’
Are you willing to?
“Time will tell. Am I willing to? I just beat the (expletive) out of him. Of course I would.’’
Do you think he’s just doing that to try to get a rematch though?
“That’s not the way to do it.’’
But now it’s also in the hands of Dana White.
The UFC’s CEO has floated the possibility of two fights: a rematch between Topuria and Gaethje or Topuria against Paddy Pimblett.
As Topuria ended his tweet on Wednesday, “See you soon.’’
Topuria legacy: 'No excuses'
Make no mistake, Topuria needs Gaethje a lot more than Gaethje needs Topuria.
Gaethje, 37, is guaranteed a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame without a rematch and his head would probably appreciate being spared more welts. Knots and concussive blows. Of course, there is the likelihood of a huge payday for the rematch.
Topuria, 29, lost more than a fight at the White House. He lost the aura of invincibility. But plenty of UFC legends, including Jon Jones, have suffered setbacks in the octagon. There’s no reason Topuria can’t fight his way back to stardom.
The obvious path, one of redemption, goes through Gaethje.
After their fight at the White House, Topuria wrote to Gaethje in a post on Instagram.
“Justin, congratulations. You said you’d leave your mark on my face… and you did. …“No excuses.’’
But now Topuria is introducing excuses.
So if Gaethje is game, it’s time for the rematch. Time to see who Topuria has become.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ilia Topuria reignites feud with Justin Gaethje with glove accusation
