Ilia Topuria to defend lightweight title against Justin Gaethje in UFC Freedom 250 main event

Ilia Topuria returns from the longest layoff of his UFC career on Sunday to unify the lightweight titles against Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn. Topuria has been separated from Giorgina Uzcategui for most of the last year. The couple shares two children, and the separation became tabloid news in Spain.

CBS Sports reported that Topuria posted on social media on June 8, 2026, defending his ex-wife and condemning insults directed at her. "He came out and started talking about my divorce. Like, 'If I were his ex-wife, I would leave him too.

I couldn't share a room with him' and some bullshit like this," Topuria said. "Listen, first of all, we are fighting, we are not dating. " "Justin crossed a line. What happened between my ex-wife and me is our business," he added.

Topuria stated he respects Justin Gaethje's father and did not mention him in a bad way. " "I thought you should keep your father far from this," Topuria said. " "I didn't mention his father in a bad way at all.

"He has nothing to do with me. He's a normal human being. Whoever knows me knows that I respect everyone's fathers. I respect any human being on this planet. But if you want to talk about me, and if you want to call me 'a short guy,' and you want to be disrespectful to me, I'm not going to stay quiet.

I'm not that kind of person. " Last month Topuria nearly came to blows with UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit after Hokit insulted Alex Pereira's mother. "I learned so many things," Topuria told CBS Sports.

" "Yeah, of course it is [difficult], because when everyone is talking about your personal relationships, it's not only about me. It's about my kids and my family," he said. " "It's a learning opportunity.