Ilia Topuria says he has been medically cleared to return to the UFC, and he is using his first public statement since a lopsided loss to Justin Gaethje to raise a new accusation against his opponent.
Topuria posted that he is "back" after passing the medical tests required to compete again. The former featherweight champion has not fought since the UFC's White House event, where Gaethje handed him a one-sided defeat.
In the same message, Topuria blamed what he called Gaethje's "weird" gloves for the loss, suggesting something about the equipment was not standard. He did not provide specific evidence in the statement.
Gaethje's side has not issued a detailed response to the glove claim. Topuria also directed a warning at Gaethje and his manager, signaling that a rematch is very much on his mind.
The loss was a significant setback for Topuria, who had built a reputation as one of the sport's most feared finishers before moving up in weight. A quick return would put him back in the title conversation, but the accusation adds a layer of tension to any future meeting with Gaethje.
The UFC has not announced Topuria's next opponent or a date for his return. Whether the promotion addresses the glove allegation — or whether Gaethje responds directly — remains an open question.