After several days away from the media spotlight, Ilia Topuria has once again been seen in public. The image has quickly spread through social networks because it is his first appearance since the tough defeat suffered by Justin Gaethje at the UFC Freedom 250, a fight that ended his undefeated professional record and snatched the lightweight belt from him.
The Spanish-Georgian champion was photographed during an outing with Omar Montes and several friends. The group spent part of the day in a Burger King before going to the movies, a completely everyday scene that has served to reassure many fans of the fighter.
The first thing that has caught the attention has been his physical appearance.
Topuria appears wearing dark sunglasses, but, unlike the shocking images she left after the fight, she no longer has the great swelling she suffered in her face. At least externally, the aftermath of the battle seems to have almost completely disappeared and transmits a much more recovered image than many expected.
The glasses have given rise to numerous interpretations among fans. Some consider that they are still part of the precautions during his recovery, while others believe that it is simply an aesthetic choice. Be that as it may, the general feeling is positive and the physical evolution of the Spaniard seems evident.
Unsurprisingly, the comeback has immediately reignited speculation about when he will return to racing.
However, it's one thing to look good, it's quite another to be prepared for a training camp at the highest level. Topuria suffered an orbital fracture during the fight against Gaethje and those types of injuries require time before being hit again on a continuous basis.
Although the recovery seems to be on the right track, it is difficult to imagine a return before the end of the year. Beyond the consolidation of the injury, a fighter needs several weeks of full training, sparring sessions and specific preparation before competing for a world title again. Everything indicates that the UFC will act prudently and will not accelerate the deadlines.
Meanwhile, the lightweight division continues to move.
On paper, Arman Tsarukyan remains the contender with the most sporting merits to dispute the championship. He has been installed among the elite of the category for years and has built a resume that makes him one of the most solid contenders at 155 pounds.
However, the UFC has shown on numerous occasions that opportunities for the belt do not depend solely on ranking. The media moment, the ability to sell an event and the interest of the public are also part of the equation.
Precisely for this reason, this weekend's fight between Paddy Pimblett and Benoît Saint Denis can take on enormous importance for the future of the division.
If Tsarukyan continues to fail to receive the opportunity that many consider he deserves, the winner of that matchup could be put in a privileged position to fight for the belt. Pimblett would arrive boosted by his enormous popularity and by a historic rivalry with Topuria that is still very present among the fans. Saint Denis, on the other hand, would give a blow on the table by defeating one of the biggest European stars in the organization.
All this paints a very different picture to the one that existed before the Freedom 250 UFC.
Topuria is no longer in the immediate race for the championship. His priority is to make a full recovery and feel one hundred percent again before thinking about another opportunity. In the meantime, the UFC will have to decide who will take the next place in the race for the belt and whether Arman Tsarukyan finally gets the opportunity he has been waiting for so long or if the winner of Pimblett against Saint Denis manages to overtake him.
For now, the best news for the followers of the Spanish fighter is another. After the very harsh images left by his defeat against Justin Gaethje, Ilia Topuria smiles again, appears in public again and transmits the feeling that his recovery is on the right track. The return to the octagon still seems distant, but the first step has already been taken.