Foster Confirms Gaethje's Gloves Checked After Topuria Accusation

Athletic commission officials have rejected Ilia Topuria's suggestion that Justin Gaethje used tampered gloves at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

Topuria, who suffered his first career loss when his corner stopped the fight after four rounds, posted on X this week that he would make sure officials checked Gaethje's wraps in a potential rematch. The post followed a series of comeback promos on Instagram after months of silence since the White House lawn bout.

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Andy Foster, director of the California State Athletic Commission and one of the officials overseeing the D.C. card, told USA TODAY Sports that Gaethje's equipment met all requirements. "His gloves and wraps were fine and totally within regulations," Foster said. "Also well inspected by multiple inspectors."

Referee John McCarthy echoed that assessment on social media, noting that Trevor Whitman wrapped Gaethje's hands under the watch of a commission inspector who signed off on the process. McCarthy added there was no validity to the allegation.

Some observers have pointed to what appears as bunched fabric in Gaethje's glove as evidence of hardening agents similar to the plaster Antonio Margarito was caught using against Shane Mosley in 2009. Modern protocols require officials to inspect wraps before and after fights, making such tampering far more difficult to execute in MMA's smaller gloves.

Topuria has made clear he wants an immediate rematch after walking into Gaethje's power early at Freedom 250, sustaining orbital fractures that left him fighting blind before his corner intervened.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — UFC White House official: Justin Gaethje’s gloves were checked ‘by multiple inspectors’