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Ilia Topuria is on his way back, and his team seems to be hinting at a Justin Gaethje rematch.
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On June 14, Topuria wasn’t able to overwhelm his opponent, as he had in every stage up to that fight. Outworking and out-toughing Gaethje is a tall task for anybody, and on the White House lawn, the Georgian was unable to do so, costing him his UFC lightweight title. After months of silence, the former champion is ready for his return to combat and is excited to remind the world of who he is.
Ilia Topuria’s management team spoke out about the return, insisting Topuria is still the best fighter in the world and will showcase that when his months-long hiatus ends. A social media post this week followed a video posted last month, in which his manager said:
“Ilia Topuria would f***ing annihilate 100% of your roster. Including, if we fought Gaethje again, buddy, he would f***ing beat the sh*t out of him. We all know that Ilia was better. He had a bad night. Your boy did good, congratulations… Ilia Topuria is still, in my book, the number one fighter in the world. I promise you guys. I promise you guys, when the comeback comes, you will see what happens.”
“Paddy Pimblett, f***ing Islam, Usman, f***ing Gaethje, it doesn’t matter who. It doesn’t matter when. You guys will see a f***ing masterclass.”
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Ilia Topuria’s manager, Malki Kawa, went OFF on Ali Abdelaziz after he said Usman Nurmagomedov would make Ilia quit 😳
“Shut the f*ck up. Ilia Topuria would annihilate 100% of your roster.
If we fought Gaethje again, he would f*cking beat the sh*t out of him. We all know Ilia… pic.twitter.com/gJTsHGQupu
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 8, 2026
While rumors persist about a potential clash against long-term rival Paddy Pimblett, it seems Ilia Topuria’s management team has shifted their attention to a rematch with Justin Gaethje.
Days after Dana White weighed in on the potential rematch, insisting he would love the matchup, Malki Kawa, Topuria’s agent, shared a post on social media saying his fighter is strictly interested in the rematch against Gaethje.
🚨 Ilia Topuria’s manager, Malki Kawa, says they are only interested in a rematch against Justin Gaethje.
“We want the get back 1000%.”
©️@malkikawapic.twitter.com/A4YvmH1ZC9
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— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) September 11, 2026
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This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 12:00 PM.