Former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has been seen in public for the first time since suffering a brutal TKO loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.
Topuria sustained serious facial injuries during the title fight on the South Lawn of the White House and was taken to a hospital immediately afterward. He had stayed out of the public eye until Georgian reporter Giorgi Kokiashvili shared a recent photo of him wearing sunglasses while posing with a young fan.
Recovery progressing, return possible this year
According to Topuria’s team, there was no orbital bone displacement, and he is expected to need another six to eight weeks to recover fully. If his recovery stays on track, he could return to the Octagon as early as December. Otherwise, his comeback is expected in 2027.
The loss dropped Topuria to 17-1 and ended his unbeaten run, with Gaethje taking the UFC lightweight title.