Anthony Joshua reveals Ilia Topuria's UFC loss changed his mindset

Anthony Joshua has revealed that Ilia Topuria's upset loss to Justin Gaethje in their UFC lightweight title fight forced him to reassess his approach to boxing. The former heavyweight champion admitted the defeat left a lasting impression on him, changing his mindset about the fight game.

On 18 June 2026, Justin Gaethje stunned the MMA world by defeating Ilia Topuria in a major upset. The Spanish-Georgian fighter, who had been on a remarkable rise through the UFC ranks, suffered a damaging loss to Gaethje. Joshua explained that he had expected Topuria to win, given his impressive track record and the fact that he had beaten fighters Gaethje had previously lost to.

The defeat was a significant setback for Topuria, who had been seen as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. Joshua's reaction highlights the brutal reality of combat sports, where even the most dominant fighters can suffer unexpected losses. The heavyweight boxer said the result made him realize the seriousness of the fight game, prompting him to become less accessible and more focused on his craft.

Despite the loss, Justin Gaethje believes Ilia Topuria remains one of the best fighters in the world. During the 2026 UFC Hall of Fame festivities, Gaethje praised Topuria's skill set and predicted he would defeat Paddy Pimblett in a potential clash. Gaethje mentioned that while Pimblett has an awkward style, Topuria's overall ability places him in a different category.

Gaethje said, 'Ilia is one of the best in the world. He is one of the most dangerous fighters that there is and he's a lot more dangerous than Paddy Pimblett. I think 97 out of 100 times, Ilia beats him up.' This suggests that Topuria still has a bright future in the UFC, despite his recent setback.