Former lightweight champion Ilia Topuria released his first statement Monday, one day after losing the belt to Justin Gaethje in the UFC Freedom 250 main event at the White House. Gaethje beat the breaks off of Topuria to become the oldest 155-pounder to win the undisputed lightweight title, hooking up his betting backers as a +400 underdog.

One round after the ringside doctor nearly stopped the fight, Topuria’s corner led by his brother waved the contest off when the fourth round ended.

“Justin, congratulations. You said you’d leave your mark on my face… and you did,” Topuria wrote on Instagram. “You took the sight from my right eye in the first round, and by the end of the second, from my left too.

“No excuses. I had one of the best camps of my life. I came in sharp, prepared, and ready. Last night was your night. That’s the nature of this game. Glory and pain walk side by side.”

Topuria went into the bout wildly overconfident, but that’s always been his thing. He wants to avenge his first career loss to Gaethje, who might retire but promised his mom that he wouldn’t make that decision last night.

“I’ll heal. I’ll rest. And I’ll return stronger, wiser, and far more dangerous,” Topuria said. “And trust me… this story between us is far from over. We will have our rematch.”

BetOnline has Topuria listed as a -250 favorite vs. Gaethje in a potential rematch (if it happens before the end of 2026). The new champion is a +210 underdog.