
Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje face off at the White House. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube.
After months of silence, Ilia Topuria recently returned to the public eye to exchange provocations and even accuse Justin Gaethje . Defeated by the American in a duel valid for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3 kg), the fighter said that Destaque had put some substance in his gloves to increase the impact of his punches. The allegation, which had been made by other people, quickly made headlines in the MMA world, generating a response from the new champion this Thursday (17).
Far from being affected by the accusation, the fighter recalled his history as possessing one of the strongest punches in the entire organization. Furthermore, he also expressed his openness to facing the Georgian/Spanish fighter again in his next fight.
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“People don’t believe it. I did this to the face of everyone I faced. Am I willing to (a rematch with him)? I just beat him up, of course I would,” the champion said in a video posted on the Joy of Everything Instagram account.
Justin Gaethje responds to Ilia Topuria ’s accusations that he carried his gloves:
“People don't believe that. 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.”
(via joy.of.everything/IG) pic.twitter.com/XHjYdKw2Co
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 17, 2026
Despite not having an opponent or even an official return date, Topuria recently announced that she is returning to training, aiming to compete again next year. Gaethje has made similar statements, so the top of the lightweight division (up to 70,3 kg), the most populous in the UFC, should remain unchanged for the next few months.
Gaethje disfigured Topuria's face

Topuria was punished by Gaethje in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
The fight between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria , held at the White House in June of this year, became extremely popular for being one of the biggest upsets in history. A huge underdog in the matchup, the American surprised everyone by winning via technical knockout and ending the Matador's undefeated streak, leaving his opponent's face badly bruised in the process.
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