Justin Gaethje strikes Ilia Topuria of Spain in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC

Justin Gaethje has fired back at Ilia Topuria after the Georgian insinuated that he had cheated during their UFC White House clash.

Gaethje weathered an early storm to retire a battered and bruised Topuria on his stool at the end of the fourth round in June.

Ilia Topuria of Spain speaks with the doctor in the Octagon against Justin Gaethje in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC
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Ilia Topuria has been cleared to fight again after his crushing defeat to Justin GaethjeCredit: Getty

In doing so, he claimed the UFC lightweight belt and handed 'El Matador' the first defeat of his professional career.

Topuria reportedly suffered non-displaced fractures in both orbital bones and was handed a 180-day suspension pending clearance from medical professionals.

On Wednesday, he took to social media to reveal that he had been given the green light to return to the Octagon, whilst also taking a dig at Gaethje.

Ilia Topuria accuses Justin Gaethje of tampering with gloves

“Final medical tests done. I’m back,” wrote Topuria on X, formerly Twitter.

“To all the clowns who’ve been talking s*** and counting me out this whole time, here I am.

"Now let’s see who’s got the balls. Thanks to everyone for the support.

"Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything weird on them. See you soon.”

Justin Gaethje responds to Ilia Topuria's accusations

Gaethje was quick to dismiss Topuria's accusation, commenting underneath the post: "94 days and the best you could come up with is a lame excuse.

"As terrible as your last performance. Do better kid."

Topuria followed that up by firing shots at Gaethje and his manager Ali Abdelaziz.

Ilia Topuria being punched by Justin Gaethje
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Topuria claims Gaethje tampered with his gloves, which 'The Highlight' vehemently deniesCredit: Getty

“By the way, Justin, f*** you," tweeted Topuria. "And Ali, f*** you too.”

Abdelaziz replied: “Welcome back Champ, I’m glad you are ok.

"I’m not gonna give you the F word back because your son is my friend, and I cannot say bad words to his father.

"Tell him I said what’s up, he is the man.”

Topuria responded: “Don’t bring my son into this.

"You being his friend has nothing to do with me and you.

"You know exactly why I said what I said. So don’t hide behind him. F*** you still stands.”

talkSPORT.com has collectively voted on the best fighters to form a regularly updated UFC pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings system for the rest of 2026 and beyond.

Our P4P list will be updated regularly based on performances in the Octagon — with wins, records, title wins and defences, calibre of opponents, methods of victory and much more all determining who makes it.

UFC champions Islam Makhachev, Tom Aspinall and Sean Strickland feature - but big stars such as Alex Pereira and Arman Tsarukyan miss out.

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