Islam Makhachev Hopes for Ilia Topuria's Comeback After UFC Loss

Despite the intense rivalry and Ilia Topuria's previous ambition to fight him, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev has offered words of encouragement following Topuria's first professional mixed martial arts defeat.

Topuria, who had been on a remarkable winning streak and was rapidly ascending the ranks, suffered a significant setback at UFC Freedom 250 in June. While he displayed flashes of his offensive prowess, even momentarily stunning Justin Gaethje with a body shot, "The Highlight" inflicted substantial damage with his striking.

Topuria's aggressive approach ultimately proved to be his undoing. Reports indicate he sustained a fractured orbital bone and was unable to continue for the final round. The bout concluded with Gaethje securing a fourth-round corner stoppage victory, marking the first loss in Topuria's professional career.

Contrary to what one might expect, given Topuria's previous calls for a fight, Makhachev has not used this moment to criticize his potential rival. In a conversation with UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson, Makhachev shared his hope for "El Matador" to make a strong recovery and return to competition.

“He’s still young, he has time. I hope he will come back,” Makhachev stated. “Ilia is a good fighter. He has good striking and good wrestling. If he focuses, he might become champion again. This fight has changed his life, but we don’t know in what way.”

Topuria has been seen in public without his customary sunglasses, and his facial injuries appear to be healing well. Questions remain about whether the damage sustained against Gaethje will impact Topuria's confidence and aggression in future striking exchanges. Topuria's exceptional boxing has been a cornerstone of his success, leading to notable knockout victories against formidable opponents like Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.