WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 14: Ilia Topuria of Spain takes on Justin Gaethje in their UFC Lightweight Championship bout during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Zuffa LLC
Elias Topouria suffered two broken orbital bones as a result of the fourth-round TKO loss Justin Gaethje on Sunday at the White House in the main event of UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje finally captured the elusive undisputed UFC championship after falling short twice before.
Topuria, who was previously undefeated and on a historic run, was gracious in defeat on Instagram. Details of his facial injuries were released Wednesday after Topouria was released from the hospital. Let’s talk about MMA.
Key facts at a glance
- Result: Justin Gaethje def. Ilias Topouria, fourth-round TKO (corner stoppage), for undisputed lightweight title
- Event: UFC Freedom 250, White House South Lawn, June 14, 2026
- Injuries: Undisplaced fractures of both orbital bones, right eye worse than left
- Treatment: No surgery is required. discharged from hospital and recovering at home
- View: Extended layoff? a return in 2026 seems unlikely
What injuries did Ilias Topouria suffer?
Many expected to hear that Topuria had at least one broken orbital, but two was at least a mild surprise. Per the medical report broadcast by MARCAhe suffered non-displaced fractures of both orbital bones, with the right eye bearing the brunt of the damage. Because the fractures did not shift and the bone remained in alignment, doctors determined that surgery was not necessary, which is the best case scenario for an injury that looked much worse live.
This result ended the former champion’s career-long unbeaten streak. The fractures account for the vision problems that eventually forced the stoppage, with his eyes swelling badly as the fight wore on.
What happened in the Topuria vs. Gaethje match?
Gaethje’s uppercut in the clinch was the tone. The shot blasted Topuria when they were in close range and dealt damage to El Matador early.
In the second round, Gaethje survived a full body assault. Topuria landed crushing punches to the body that nearly finished Gaetz. However, Topuria made the mistake of chasing a submission instead of forcing Gaethje to his feet.
This miscalculation likely cost him the match. In the third, Gaethje recovered and hit Topuria with nasty right hands and more uppercuts. The Octagon doctor almost stopped the fight after the third, but was convinced to continue.
Topuria fought well in the fourth, but did even more damage and eventually his corner stopped the fight before the fifth round.
What did Elias Topouria say about The Loss?
After the loss, Topuria took to Instagram to congratulate Gaethje on his performance. He made no excuses and said he wanted a rematch.
In the post, Topuria told Gaethje “you said you were going to leave your mark on my face … and you did,” and said he lost vision in his right eye in the first round and in his left at the end of the second. He insisted there were “no excuses” after one of the best camps of his life and signed off promising the two would “have our rematch”.
When will Elias Topouria return?
It’s hard to say for sure. Fortunately, he doesn’t need surgery to repair his injuries, but there’s no doubt he’s likely to be out longer than normal. A return in early 2027 seems more likely.
As for the rematch that Topuria wants, Gaethje was cool with the ideaclaiming that he won decisively and caused Topuria to leave the stool. Either that UFC The books will likely depend on how Gaethje’s reign and Topuria’s recovery plays out in the coming months.
