Topuria Spotted Without Sunglasses After Gaethje Loss

Ilia Topuria attended teammate Guram Kutateladze's engagement celebration over the weekend, appearing publicly without sunglasses in one of his first sightings since the facial damage he sustained losing his lightweight belt to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.

Topuria and his brother Aleksandre joined Kutateladze's party after the Georgian lightweight got engaged to partner Erika Nielsen, per Sherdog. Social media footage showed the former two-division champion congratulating his longtime friend and training partner.

Kutateladze's UFC Run and Georgian Connection

Kutateladze made waves in his 2020 UFC debut with a split decision win over Mateusz Gamrot but went just 3-3 in the promotion before his release following a loss to Kaue Fernandes last year. The Georgian lightweight has since notched a first-round knockout over Victor Hugo on the regional circuit.

The friendship between Kutateladze and the Topuria brothers stretches back to their Georgian roots. Topuria's 2021 feud with Paddy Pimblett started when the Liverpool fighter insulted Georgia during an online exchange with Kutateladze.

Topuria has kept a low profile since the Gaethje fight, surfacing only to celebrate Spain's World Cup victory and for a recent Ibiza trip. The engagement party marks one of the few occasions he has been photographed without covering the facial injuries from his title loss.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Fans finally got a clear look at Ilia Topuria following brutal UFC loss