Ilia
Topuria was humbled at UFC White House. | Getty/UFC
Islam
Makhachev is enjoying Ilia
Topuria’s humbling lesson at the
UFC White House event.
Topuria (17-1) put his lightweight title on the line against
interim champion Justin
Gaethje (28-5) in the main event at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday
at the White House. “El Matador” repeatedly affirmed that he would
knock Gaethje out in the very first round. Topuria also claimed
that he had a video predicting how he would knock Gaethje out,
which would be released after the fight. Topuria even celebrated
his expected victory with friends and family a day before the
fight.
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However, Gaethje bloodied Topuria up in the very first round. While
Topuria gained momentum in the second round, he seemingly spent up
his energy trying to finish Gaethje. “The Highlight” busted up a
visibly tired Topuria in the third round. While the cageside doctor
even appeared to be calling the fight off due to the damage to
Topuria’s eyes, the Georgian-Spaniard returned for a fourth round.
Gaethje eventually beat Topuria up enough for his corner to stop
the fight at the end of the fourth round. Gaethje finally won the
undisputed title in his third attempt in one of the most historic
upsets ever.
Makhachev reminded Topuria of his lesson in humility while
congratulating Gaethje on a much-deserved title win.
“He who exalts himself will be humbled! There’s levels in this
game! Congratulations Justin, you deserve this belt more than
anyone!” Makhachev wrote on X.
He who exalts himself will be humbled !
There’s levels in this game!
Congratulations Justin, you deserve this belt more than anyone!
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA)
June 15, 2026
The UFC welterweight champion further mocked Topuria for quitting
in the stool in one of the most important fights of his career.
“To quit in the biggest fight of your career – is something not
everybody can do,” Makhachev wrote. “Real Le Layenda.”
To quit in the biggest fight of your career
– is something not everybody can do.Real Le Layenda 😃
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA)
June 15, 2026
Missed Opportunity?
Topuria had been plotting a much-anticipated matchup against
Makhachev for a long time. The previously undefeated
Georgian-Spaniard was even eyeing a move up to welterweight to
challenge Makhachev for the title if he beat Gaethje. However, that
matchup is unlikely to happen now. Gaethje had also similarly shut
down a much-anticipated matchup between Makhachev’s friend and
mentor, Khabib
Nurmagomedov, and Tony
Ferguson. Gaethje won the interim title for the first time in
2020, handing Ferguson a beating from which he never recovered. “EL
Cucuy” never won in the
UFC again and retired on an eight-fight slump.