Ilia Topuria suffers first UFC defeat as Makhachev, Tsarukyan and Crawford react

Years passed with Ilia Topuria moving like someone sure he had no equal in fighting. Once holding titles in two UFC divisions, he stood firm in loud forecasts, about Islam Makhachev, about Arman Tsarukyan, even Terence Crawford from boxing, claiming each would fall without struggle. Yet what unfolded under the lights at UFC Freedom 250 shifted everything. Facing Justin Gaethje changed the tune entirely.

On Sunday, Topuria stepped into the UFC Freedom 250 headliner at the White House undefeated through seventeen pro bouts, fueled by three wins that reshaped his legacy. Knocking out Alexander Volkanovski earned him the featherweight belt, then Max Holloway fell in his first defense – another stoppage. Afterward came a climb to lightweight, where Charles Oliveira met the same fate, sealing Topuria’s grip on a second UFC crown.

Yet when he faced Justin Gaethje, that unbroken streak reached its finish.

Heavy blows had rained down through four rounds when suddenly Topuria’s team stopped it, stepping in before round five started. That moment marked his first loss ever as a pro fighter. Justin Gaethje stood tall because of it, claiming the vacant UFC lightweight title by way of technical knockout.

Heavy blows kept finding their mark as Gaethje pushed forward, racking up 91 notable hits – more than anyone else had managed against Topuria. Success came in flashes for the ex-champion, especially when the bell first rang, yet each moment passed brought fresh cuts. Swelling carved deep into Topuria’s features by round four, crimson streaking across his skin like paint gone wrong. Behind closed doors, numbers told a quiet story: every judge saw it the same way, 39-37 down on the sheet.

Needing a finish in the final round to retain any realistic chance of victory, he never got the opportunity.

Later, doctors brought Ilia Topuria to a nearby hospital just to keep an eye on things. Not long after that, several top figures in the sport started sharing thoughts about what happened.

Minutes after the fight ended, Islam Makhachev broke his silence on the much-rumored clash with Topuria. For weeks, speculation had swirled around them meeting – a scenario the Spanish fighter fueled by insisting he’d finish Makhachev cold should they step into the cage.

He who exalts himself will be humbled !

There’s levels in this game!

Congratulations Justin, you deserve this belt more than anyone!

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) June 15, 2026

To quit in the biggest fight of your career – is something not everybody can do.

Real Le Layenda 😃

— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) June 15, 2026

Meanwhile, Arma Tsarukyan mocked Topuria by calling him Ilia “no mas” Topuria. A mocking monicker by calling Ilia “no more” Topuria.

Ilia “no mas” Topuria 🤦🏻‍♂️

— Arman Tsarukyan UFC (@ArmanUfc) June 15, 2026

That Sunday surprise? It caught Terence Crawford’s eye too. Not just any fan, the unbeaten boxer has stayed quiet before on fight talk – this time, silence wasn’t an option. Mentioned once by Topuria when names flew about elite matchups, he now watches closely from the sidelines, arms crossed, mind running. A noiseless reaction, yet loud enough.

This the guy that said he would knock me out and whoop me and Shakur at the same time?😂😂😂

— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) June 15, 2026

Surprisingly, the moment things shifted most happened when Topuria nearly followed through.

Victory felt different this time for Gaethje, a peak moment after years in the Octagon. Not long ago, he held temporary gold in 2020, then grabbed the BMF strap three years later; now, full champion at last, third try doing what two could not. Before this, fights with Nurmagomedov and Oliveira slipped away, each finish quieted by taps on canvas.

Out of nowhere, Ilia Topuria faced a sudden shift when the night unfolded much differently than expected. Though seen as untouchable just hours before, he now carried defeat for the first time in his pro run. Everyone who once waited on a chance to fight him saw the moment play out live. In combat sports, momentum flips faster than anyone admits.