Ilia Topuria's Aura Shattered: Frankie Edgar Compares Upset Loss to Historic Win Over BJ Penn

Ilia Topuria's undefeated record was shattered last month when he suffered a shocking upset loss to Justin Gaethje. The loss has left many questioning his aura, but Frankie Edgar believes he knows what it takes to bounce back from a significant setback.

What happened?

Ilia Topuria was confident that he'd stop Justin Gaethje last month, but 'El Matador' was handed his first loss in a stunning upset. Topuria congratulated Gaethje after the fight, which has led to questions about how he will bounce back from such a significant setback.

Why it matters for Ilia Topuria

Frankie Edgar, the former lightweight champion, believes that Topuria's loss will cost him his "aura." Edgar has experience producing a similar kind of victory to the one Gaethje achieved last month. In 2010, he ended the lightweight title reign of UFC legend BJ Penn, after the titleholder had people questioning whether anyone could beat him at that weight.

The scorecards in their first encounter at UFC 112 were unanimous for the challenger, but all three offered different verdicts of how the fight played out. After proving that Penn wasn't unbeatable, Edgar carried this confidence into their rematch that took place later that year.

What comes next?

Edgar believes that Topuria will have to weather some changes now that it's been proven that he isn't unbeatable. "When you take a loss, especially like that, you kind of lose your aura," he said. "People thought maybe Topuria was going to be the next thing, the next big thing, putting people away, calling his shots, and he was. He was living up to the hype until Justin Gaethje came and put a stop to that."

Edgar's experience in bouncing back from a significant loss is a valuable lesson for Topuria. After losing his belt and undefeated record, what's next for Ilia Topuria? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - he'll have to work hard to regain his confidence and prove himself once again in the Octagon.

The road to recovery

Justin Gaethje has his doubts about Ilia Topuria being the same fighter he was before his first loss because opponents won't fear stepping inside the Octagon with him anymore. Ahead of his RAF 11 return to face Clay Guida on July 18, Edgar shared his thoughts on the aftermath of UFC Freedom 250.

Ilia Topuria's loss to Justin Gaethje on June 18 has left many questioning his aura. But with the help of experienced fighters like Frankie Edgar, he may be able to bounce back from this setback and regain his confidence in the Octagon.

The impact on Ilia Topuria's career

Ilia Topuria's loss to Justin Gaethje has sent shockwaves throughout the MMA community. The loss has left many questioning his aura, but Edgar believes that he knows what it takes to bounce back from a significant setback. "When you take a loss, especially like that, you kind of lose your aura," he said.

Ilia Topuria's career is at a crossroads after his loss to Justin Gaethje. Will he be able to bounce back from this setback and regain his confidence in the Octagon, or will this loss be a turning point in his career?