Ilia Topuria Suffers Eye Injury in Fight Against Justin Gaethje

Ilia Topuria was battered and bloodied in his lightweight title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on 18 Jun.

Topuria suffered visible damage to both eyes, crediting Gaethje for taking the vision from his right eye in Round 1, then the left one by the end of Round 2.

Merab Dvalishvili thinks it was an early Gaethje eye poke that hampered Topuria's vision.

Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie Radio that Topuria was 'pretty much blind' after the eye poke, but still fought hard, breaking his nose and other orbital bones.

Gaethje was up three rounds to one when the doctors waved the fight off at the end of Round 4.

Dvalishvili believes Topuria would win a rematch and if they fight a trilogy, Topuria will still be the winner, praising Topuria's heart and toughness in the fight.

Topuria's loss hit Dvalishvili hard, who's coming off a title loss himself to Petr Yan at UFC 323, saying it's been a hard week for him, and he was heartbroken to see Topuria lose.

Dvalishvili hardly slept and was depressed all week, but thinks Topuria will come back from this and be champion again.

The fight was a great display of Topuria's skills, with Dvalishvili saying Topuria is one of the best in the 155-pound division, and he was winning the fight before the eye poke.

Topuria dropped Gaethje with a body shot in the second round, but Gaethje survived and went on to win the fight.

Dvalishvili has much respect for Gaethje, but hopes Topuria will get a rematch and become champion again.

Topuria's record now stands at 17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC, after the loss to Gaethje, who improved to 28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC.

The UFC Freedom 250 event was a significant one for Topuria, who was looking to become the new lightweight champion.

Instead, Gaethje took the win, but Dvalishvili thinks Topuria will bounce back from the loss and become champion in the future.

The eye poke was a key moment in the fight, with Dvalishvili saying it affected Topuria's vision and ability to fight.

Topuria's toughness and heart were on display, despite the injury, and he will look to come back stronger in his next fight.

The loss was a tough one for Topuria, but he will look to learn from it and improve for his next bout.

Dvalishvili's comments were a show of support for Topuria, who he believes has the skills and talent to become a champion in the UFC.

The rematch between Topuria and Gaethje is one that fans will be looking forward to, with Dvalishvili saying he believes Topuria will win the next fight.

The UFC will look to schedule the rematch in the future, with Topuria looking to become the new lightweight champion.

For now, Topuria will look to recover from the injury and come back stronger in his next fight.

The future is bright for Topuria, despite the loss, and he will look to become a champion in the UFC.

Dvalishvili's comments were a testament to Topuria's skills and toughness, and he will look to support him in his future fights.