Inside the glove were Justin Gaethje’s knuckles, which he used to land heavy shots on Ilia Topuria at the White House event. But what about the substance on the gloves? Could it have been something like mustard, a bit of metaphorical “relish,” or even some illicit substance, reminiscent of the green goo Killer Khan once used to blind opponents? Mr. Fuji once threw salt in opponents’ eyes, a tactic not to be dismissed, especially considering Topuria’s “salty” attitude. On Wednesday, Topuria posted on X, reasserting his presence and declaring he’s back in the fight.
His message read: “To all the clowns who’ve been trash-talking and counting me out all this time, here I am. Now let’s see who’s got the guts. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time, I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t have anything weird on them. See you soon.” Gaethje responded, “94 days and the best you could come up with is a lame excuse. As bad as your last performance. Do better, kid.”
The classic “do better” comeback usually comes from lazy trolls, but here it actually fuels the fire. After taking his first loss in June, Topuria seemed to be taking the high road, but now he’s pushing for a rematch with Gaethje, just as Arman Tsarukyan prepares for his five-round co-main event against Mauricio Ruffy. It’s actually Topuria who is clouding the lightweight division’s trajectory, which should be straightforward.
If Tsarukyan defeats Ruffy, he earns the next shot. He was already next when Islam Makhachev still held the lightweight title in early 2025, but a last-minute injury withdrawal put him in Dana White’s bad books. Ever since, Tsarukyan has patiently waited, fighting often in smaller promotions like the RAF. His November win over Dan Hooker in a fight billed by Tsarukyan as a No.1 contender bout was impressive, but a minor scuffle during faceoffs rubbed White the wrong way. That led the UFC to schedule Paddy Pimblett and Gaethje for the interim title at the start of the Paramount+ era, while Tsarukyan was sidelined.
Topuria, meanwhile, failed to defend his lightweight title during the White House event, leaving the octagon battered and bloodied like a survivor in a horror film. He endured Gaethje’s punishing strikes despite landing vicious body shots of his own. Now, pushing for a quick rematch might be risky, especially when an opportunity to face Pimblett—a dangerous opponent hunting for his neck—is available. Gaethje, by contrast, hunts for the soul.
Dana White appears open to a Gaethje-Topuria rematch given the spectacular first fight, which drew many viewers—including newcomers to MMA—and thrilled audiences with its intensity, especially around America’s 250th anniversary. However, Topuria’s corner stopped the fight after four brutal rounds. Facing Gaethje’s volatility is an extreme experience, and it’s natural to rethink strategy, but Topuria’s limited lightweight experience (only three fights since 2022) leaves him at a disadvantage compared to Tsarukyan, who has gone 10-1 in his recent bouts and finished half his opponents.
Ultimately, the UFC seems to be playing a game of shifting priorities. If Tsarukyan isn’t the next contender, why set his fight with Ruffy for five rounds? Why prepare the card with anything less than clear stakes? Topuria’s push to provoke Gaethje appears shrewd—he wants to force himself back into the lightweight title picture, to influence decisions before Tsarukyan claims his rightful spot.
Assuming Tsarukyan defeats Ruffy, he should be next in line. The UFC should be building anticipation for that fight, but the current ambiguity suggests otherwise. Topuria’s issue isn’t with what’s on Gaethje’s gloves but with what he doesn’t yet hold—the title opportunity. If he can have his way, Gaethje will face him again soon enough.
Fan Take: This ongoing drama highlights how the lightweight division’s future is full of tension and intrigue, making every fight feel like a defining moment. For fight fans, the potential Gaethje-Topuria rematch or a Tsarukyan title shot could reshape the division and influence MMA’s landscape for years to come.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
