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The image of Ilia Topuria leaving the octagon after the UFC Freedom 250 left one of the toughest stamps of his entire professional career. After five rounds of real war against Justin Gaethje, the Spanish-Georgian champion ended up with a completely disfigured face, forcing doctors to carry out a thorough evaluation immediately after the fight.
During the first hours after the fight, there was widespread speculation about the true extent of the damage suffered by Topuria. Images released after the fight showed extreme swelling around both eyes, visible cuts on the face and obvious difficulties in maintaining vision during the closing stages of the fight.
Medical tests carried out after the event confirmed that Topuria suffered an orbital fracture. The injury affects the bone structure surrounding the eye and is one of the most frequent in high-level contact sports. Fortunately for the Spanish fighter, specialists ruled out the need for immediate surgery, very positive news considering the state in which the fight ended.
In addition to the orbital fracture, Topuria suffered severe inflammation in both eyes as a result of the repeated impacts received during the five rounds. In fact, the progressive loss of vision was one of the factors that most worried his corner during the fight. The accumulated damage was so significant that at several points in the fight he could barely fully open his eyes.
Subsequent images also showed deep bruising in the facial area, especially around the cheekbones and nose. Although initially some fans speculated about a possible nasal fracture, so far there is no official medical confirmation indicating that Topuria suffered a broken nose during the fight. Therefore, any claim in that regard would be premature.
The harshness of the confrontation did not go unnoticed by those responsible for the UFC. Dana White himself acknowledged after the event that Topuria was taken to the hospital to undergo complementary tests due to the significant punishment accumulated during the fight. The objective was to rule out more serious injuries and confirm the exact extent of the damage suffered.
Despite the alarming appearance of his face, the news from the champion's entourage is reassuring. No neurological injuries, permanent vision problems or damage that compromises his sporting future have been detected. Everything indicates that the recovery will be long, but favorable.
How long will Ilia Topuria be out?
Although there is no official deadline announced by the UFC or the fighter's team, medical experience in similar cases allows a reasonable estimate to be made. Orbital fractures that do not require surgery usually need between six and twelve weeks to heal properly. However, the return to contact training is usually delayed longer to avoid relapses or premature impacts on the affected area.
As a result, it is difficult to imagine Topuria returning to competition in the coming months. The body needs time to recover from a battle of such intensity and any precipitation could compromise the healing process.
Beyond the defeat or the sporting result, the fight against Justin Gaethje has left an obvious physical mark. Many fans already consider it one of the most brutal wars led by the Spanish-Georgian fighter in the UFC. The punishment received was enormous, but it also once again demonstrated the endurance, heart and capacity for sacrifice that have made Topuria one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts.
Now a different stage begins. The absolute priority will be to recover completely, leave injuries behind and return to one hundred percent before setting himself a new challenge. Because if one thing has become clear after the UFC Freedom 250 it is that Ilia Topuria was beaten, but not defeated in spirit. And when he returns to the octagon, he will do so with the intention of recovering the lost ground and returning to the top of the sport.