Topuria medical update: UFC fighter out of hospital after Gaethje defeat
After his UFC Freedom 250 defeat to Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria is recovering at home after leaving hospital in Washington D.C.
Ilia Topuria will not return to competition in 2026. “El Matador” has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the calendar year due to the injuries he sustained in his defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.
What injuries does Topuria have?
The final medical report has confirmed two orbital fractures, with more significant damage to his right eye. After being discharged from a Washington, D.C. hospital, the Spanish-Georgian fighter has begun a recovery process at home, focusing on both physical and mental rehabilitation.
In a positive development, Topuria will avoid surgery. His injuries will instead be treated through a conventional medical protocol, easing the primary concern among his fanbase and helping to shorten his expected time on the sidelines.
“We will have our rematch”
At 29, the fighter remains mentally resilient, a message he made clear in his latest Instagram statement. After acknowledging his opponent’s victory - “Justin, congratulations. You said you’d leave your mark on my face… and you did” - he issued a warning that their rivalry didn’t end on that stage.
“I’ll heal,” Topuria wrote. “I’ll rest. And I’ll return stronger, wiser, and far more dangerous. And trust me… this story between us is far from over. We will have our rematch.”
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