Ilia Topuria Suffers Eye Poke in UFC Freedom 250 Loss

Ilia Topuria was battered and bloodied in his lightweight title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 26.

What happened?

Topuria suffered visible damage to both eyes, crediting Gaethje for taking the vision from his right eye in Round 1, then the left one by the end of Round 2.

Merab Dvalishvili thinks it was an early Gaethje eye poke that hampered Topuria's vision.

Why it matters for Ilia Topuria

Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie Radio that Topuria was blind from the first round and fought with one eye.

He believes Topuria would have finished Gaethje if he continued hitting him after dropping him with a body shot in the second round.

What comes next?

Dvalishvili hopes for a rematch, believing Topuria would win and become champion again.

Topuria's loss hit Dvalishvili hard, who was heartbroken to see him lose and has been depressed all week.

Dvalishvili says Topuria will come back from this and be champion again, praising his heart and toughness.

Reaction to the fight

Gaethje was up three rounds to one when the doctors waved the fight off at the end of Round 4.

Topuria's record now stands at 17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC, while Gaethje improved to 28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC.

The fight was a great display of skill and determination from both fighters, with Dvalishvili giving respect to Gaethje for his win.