Ilia Topuria targeting December return after UFC White House loss

Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria could return to the octagon as soon as December following his first career loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC White House, according to his trainer.

Topuria suffered two broken orbital bones in the four-round defeat at the White House event on June 14, injuries that initially suggested a longer recovery timeline into 2027. But trainer Jesus Gallo told SerEbro EnlosDeportes that the Spanish fighter is healing faster than expected. "Day by day, he already looks like an entirely different person," Gallo said, per a Bloody Elbow transcription. "All the swelling in his face has gone down. All the bruising he had has gone down. To the naked eye, you can see a person who has already recovered a lot, and it has been a week and two days."

Topuria's recovery timeline and potential December fight

Gallo explained that doctors expect the orbital fractures to heal within six to eight weeks without requiring surgery, since there was no bone displacement. The fighter will need additional time before resuming full contact training. "After that, for him to start wrestling again, to start doing things again, it'll take a little while for it to really solidify there," Gallo said. "I think we're talking about at least two to three months, easily. If you saw us in a rematch or in a fight, it would be toward the end of the year, in December."

Topuria has not indicated whether he will return to featherweight, where he built his undefeated record, or remain at lightweight to pursue a rematch with Gaethje. The loss marked the first defeat of his professional career after holding titles in both the 145-pound and 155-pound divisions.

Gaethje has yet to announce his next move following the title win.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Ilia Topuria ‘already recovered a lot,’ could make UFC return ‘in December’