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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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Ilia Topuria left UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C., battered and bruised, after suffering the first humbling loss of his otherwise impressive MMA career.
The now-former UFC Lightweight Champion battled underdog Justin Gaethje through four rounds, but sustained a massive amount of damage due to the kicks, jabs, and other strikes that Gaethje landed.
And despite being a heavy favorite to win the match by a knockout or technical knockout, Topuria lost before a fifth-round bell could sound, when one of his cornermen called for a stoppage due to how badly Topuria's face looked from the previous rounds.
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He was visibly bloody, and during the match, commentators said they believed that Topuria was having an issue seeing from his eye due to being hit so hard in his face. They were right, as he's since admitted to that.
After the fight, some of his team members helped him out of the cage. Later, he was transported by cart and then, via ambulance, to the hospital.
More news: Dana White Shares Ilia Topuria Injury Update After UFC Freedom 250 Loss
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On Monday afternoon, Topuria seemingly broke his silence when he shared a statement via an Instagram post about the loss, his vision, and plans to return for another fight.
"Justin, congratulations. You said you’d leave your mark on my face… and you did," Topuria said, adding, "You took the sight from my right eye in the first round, and by the end of the second, from my left too."
He told fans and his opponent there were "no excuses" for his loss, and he felt his training camp had him "sharp, prepared, and ready."
"That’s the nature of this game. Glory and pain walk side by side," he said, admitting it was Gaethje's night.
"I’ll heal. I’ll rest. And I’ll return stronger, wiser, and far more dangerous," he wrote, also adding, "And trust me… this story between us is far from over."
"We will have our rematch," Topuria ended his IG post with.
More news: Justin Gaethje Addresses Retirement Decision After Ilia Topuria Upset
Whether that occurs or not remains to be seen, as Gaethje previously teased retirement should he knock out Topuria and win the championship. The win counted as a KO/TKO stoppage, with Gaethje becoming the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion.
However, he told Joe Rogan during his post-fight interview that he promised his mother he'd wait past Sunday night to make that decision. The 37-year-old Gaethje has now been called out for a rematch, though.
Topuria seems highly interested in battling the man who defeated him so soundly at UFC Freedom 250, so he can avenge that one loss that became a blemish on what was previously an undefeated record.
Based on Topuria's previous display of skills against multiple opponents, he and his camp seem more than capable of figuring out a better approach to defeating Gaethje.
More news: Islam Makhachev Throws Massive Shade at Ilia Topuria After Justin Gaethje Loss
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