Topuria Suffers Orbital and Nasal Fractures; Pereira Calls for Herb Dean Suspension After Freedom 250

Ilia Topuria sustained fractures to both orbital bones and his nose during his loss to Justin Gaethje at Freedom 250, according to a close friend, though initial fears of a single orbital break were confirmed to be more extensive. Topuria has since been discharged from care and is recovering at home, and his 18-0 record has been removed from his social media. Alex Pereira has continued to publicly call for the UFC to suspend referee Herb Dean over the handling of the fight, while Dean has responded by posting video explaining which blows to the back of the head are and are not legal. Separately, authorities revealed that a planned drone attack with explosives targeting the event was foiled four days before it took place, with several suspects taken into custody.