Ilia Topuria Fires Back at Justin Gaethje and Ali Abdelaziz Following Return Announcement
After announcing his return, Ilia Topuria didn't take long to clarify that he was coming after Justin Gaethje. He also put Ali Abdelaziz on his radar.
Ilia Topuria once again adopted his well-known, brash persona just minutes after announcing he had been cleared to return. Topuria locked his target on Justin Gaethje and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, and answered whatever they had been saying with a few distasteful remarks.
Ilia Topuria Derides Justin Gaethje and Ali Abdelaziz With NSFW Remarks
Topuria went completely silent after his devastating loss against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, where he suffered severe facial damage. In the meantime, Gaethje appeared on multiple public platforms, including Joe Rogan's The Joe Rogan Experience, to detail his experience of the fight.
While Gaethje avoided being overtly disrespectful towards Topuria, his remarks like, "He wanted out. You do not ever, as a fighter, say 'I can't see'. He was counting on that. I stopped him twice that night," during his JRE appearance annoyed Topuria.
On September 16, the Spaniard fired his first shot at Gaethje and all his critics in his return announcement itself. His X update read, "Final medical tests done. I’m back. To all the clowns who’ve been talking s*it and counting me out this whole time, here I am. Now let’s see who’s got the balls. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything weird on them. See you soon."
Final medical tests done. I’m back. To all the clowns who’ve been talking shit and counting me out this whole time, here I am. Now let’s see who’s got the balls. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything…
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) September 16, 2026
Following his allegation related to Gaethje's gloves, Topuria derided 'The Highlight' and Abdelaziz specifically in his next X update with profanity. He penned, "By the way Justin, f**k you. And Ali, f**k you too."
By the way Justin, fuck you. And Ali, fuck you too
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) September 16, 2026
Abdelaziz had also said a few things about Topuria following his loss, but 'El Matador's' call to deride him probably stems from his manager, Malki Kawa's stance, who thinks Topuria can beat multiple fighters under Abdelaziz, including Islam Makhachev.
It's pertinent to note that Topuria has also been chasing a fight with Makhachev for a few years now. Hence, the Spaniard's decision to fire at Abdelaziz appears to be a thoughtful one, as it can get him closer to both of his targets, Gaethje and Makhachev.
