Ilia Topuria surfaces after UFC Freedom 250 beating

Former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria showed his face in public for the first time since his corner stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.

MMA Mania reports that Georgian journalist Giorgi Kokiashvili posted a photo of Topuria posing with a young fan, 16 days after the South Lawn beatdown sent him to the hospital. The Spaniard's face appears to be healing well, though visible marks from the June 14 fight remain.

Topuria eyes December return after hospital stint

Topuria's team told reporters the former champion could fight again as soon as December, provided he takes six to eight weeks off to let his facial injuries heal. No orbital bones were displaced during the bout, which should speed his recovery. If he misses the December window, a 2027 return is expected.

The loss snapped Topuria's unbeaten record and ended his double-champion reign. He had knocked out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in consecutive title defenses before Gaethje stopped him in front of the White House crowd. Topuria praised Gaethje after the fight but has said little else publicly about the defeat.

Topuria now stands 17-1 overall and 9-1 in the UFC. His next opponent and exact timetable remain unclear, though the comeback clock is ticking.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Pic: Ilia Topuria shows face for the first time since UFC Freedom 250 beatdown