Ilia Topuria on his Justin Gaethje gloves post: 'He was a better man that night'

Topuria told Adam Catterall there will be 'more chapters' with Gaethje, who called his September post about the gloves 'a lame excuse'.

Ilia Topuria says he does not want to take any credit from Justin Gaethje when asked about the reference he made to Gaethje's gloves on social media after his White House defeat, but insists their rivalry is not finished.

Adam Catterall put it to him that he had been complimentary straight after the fight, "but then on social media, yeah, you made a reference to his gloves." Topuria said: "I don't want to take any credit from him. He did an amazing job. He was a better man that night. All I can say is congratulations, but our story is far from... far to be over. We are gonna have more chapters, that's for sure."

Gaethje beat Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in June to win the undisputed lightweight title, after Topuria's corner stopped the fight on his stool following the fourth round. It was the first loss of his career. In September, announcing that his final medical tests were done, Topuria wrote on X that next time he would make sure Gaethje's gloves were checked. Gaethje replied: "94 days and the best you could come up with is a lame excuse. As terrible as your last performance. Do better kid."

In the same interview, Topuria said he wants the rematch and does not think Gaethje will retire "without one more paycheck". He has said a comeback is being considered from April, and Dana White has said the UFC is planning his return for early 2027. No opponent or date has been announced.

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