Ilia Topuria is back to work. 👀 “El Matador” is back in the gym sharpening his reflexes and working toward his MMA comeback after suffering his first professional loss to Justin Gaethje. Topuria suffered fractures to both orbital bones in the June fight but did not require surgery. His team has previously indicated that December could be a realistic return window. Now the former UFC featherweight champion is back in training and preparing for his return to the lightweight division. Who should Ilia Topuria fight next? 👀 #IliaTopuria #UFC #MMA #UFCLightweight #ElMatador
Ilia Topuria has returned to the gym as he works toward his comeback, months after the first professional defeat of his career.
The former UFC featherweight champion is sharpening his reflexes and preparing for a run at lightweight, according to the latest update from his camp. Topuria lost to Justin Gaethje in June, suffering fractures to both orbital bones in the fight. He did not require surgery, and his team has previously suggested December could be a realistic window for his return.
Topuria: the setback and the road back
Topuria, 29, now stands at 17-1 and is ranked first in the lightweight division, where he also holds the number one pound-for-pound ranking. The Spanish-Georgian fighter, who trains out of Climent Club, is a five-foot-seven orthodox striker with a 69-inch reach. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, and averages 1.96 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Gaethje, 37, is the reigning lightweight champion and now carries a 28-5 record. The American out of Genesis Training Center is the taller man at five-foot-eleven with a 70-inch reach. His striking numbers are among the most productive in the division: 6.48 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy. He rarely looks for takedowns, averaging 0.33 per 15 minutes, and has no submission attempts on record.
Why it matters
- Topuria's loss ended an unbeaten professional run, and how he responds will shape the lightweight title picture.
- A December return would give him roughly six months to recover from the orbital fractures, which did not need surgical repair.
- His camp is focused on lightweight, the division where Gaethje holds the belt.
No opponent or date has been set for Topuria's next fight.
