Gaethje rebuffs Topuria's cheating allegation after UFC Freedom 250

Justin Gaethje has rejected Ilia Topuria's insinuation that he cheated to win their fight at UFC Freedom 250 in June on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington DC. Gaethje's reply came after Topuria posted on X suggesting something irregular had been used during the contest.

Topuria, 29, retired on his stool at the end of the fourth round in that bout, losing the lightweight title and sustaining serious injuries to his eye. He had been unbeaten prior to the defeat, and the outcome made American Gaethje undisputed champion for the first time. The stoppage on the South Lawn ended Topuria's run as the titleholder at lightweight.

After a three-month recovery period, Topuria confirmed on X that he has recovered and said he was ready to return to the octagon, while also taking aim at Gaethje. "Final medical tests done. I'm back," Topuria posted. "To all the clowns who've been counting me out this whole time, here I am. "Next time I'll make sure they check Justin's gloves so he doesn't put anything weird on them. See you soon."

Responding to those allegations, Gaethje, 37, replied: "94 days and the best you could come up with is a lame excuse. As terrible as your last performance. Do better kid." His message dismissed the suggestion and was posted publicly as a direct response to Topuria's social-media comments.

Topuria had previously reigned as featherweight champion before vacating that title and moving up a division to defeat Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight belt. The June clash with Gaethje was his first defence of that lightweight title. Gaethje had been the interim champion going into the fight.

Gaethje is yet to book his next fight, and a rematch between him and Topuria could be considered. There has been no official scheduling announced for a return bout between the pair.

Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on Saturday, and Tsarukyan claims UFC president Dana White has promised the winner a title shot.