Recovered? Ilia Topuria appears in a photo for the first time after having her face disfigured at UFC Casa Branca.

Ilia Topuria was defeated by Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC Casa Branca . Photo: UFC Europe / X

PUBLICITY:

Ilia Topuria finally emerged from the shadows after a period away from the spotlight. The Spaniard experienced a night to forget at UFC Casa Branca , held on June 14th, when he was forced to withdraw from the fight against Justin Gaethje due to facial injuries that left him unrecognizable and cost him his lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg).

See too

Daniel Cormier reveals that Jon Jones should have faced Tom Aspinall, but admits: 'He doesn't need to'.

UFC champion Sean Strickland shows who's boss and ridicules Michel Pereira's tormentor after provocation.

Former rival reveals he celebrated Justin Gaethje's victory against Ilia Topuria at the White House: 'I screamed like a child'

Since his defeat, the former champion had not appeared publicly. However, Topuria appeared for the first time in a photo posted to the Instagram stories of his friend, the singer Omar Montes. In the image, the fighter appears to be in good physical condition, but is wearing sunglasses, which hide possible marks from the injuries he suffered.

🫡🇪🇸 Ilia Topuria ’s first public appearance since his loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC White House.

👀 It looks like he's healing quickly. pic.twitter.com/WBtfQ041iO

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) June 30, 2026

Justin Gaethje transformed Ilia Topuria's face at UFC Casa Branca

Topuria was punished by Gaethje in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

PUBLICITY:

After a balanced first round, Ilia Topuria returned for the second determined to justify his five-to-one odds against Justin Gaethje at UFC Casa Branca . Despite landing some good strikes and coming close to finishing the fight, the American held on, and the Spaniard returned for the third round already showing clear signs of fatigue.

With Topuria slowing down, Gaethje began to find his range with precise jabs and even managed to stagger the former champion with a powerful straight punch. Gradually, the Spaniard's face became deformed from the accumulated damage, until, in the break between the fourth and fifth rounds, his team opted to stop the fight.

After the fight, it was confirmed that Topuria suffered fractures to the orbital bones of her face and to her nose.

Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.