Adesanya Suggests Topuria Delay Gaethje Rematch, Rebuild First

The former middleweight champion says Topuria would benefit from one more victory before pursuing another lightweight title shot.

Israel Adesanya has advised Ilia Topuria to pass on an instant rematch with Justin Gaethje and pick up a victory elsewhere first. Speaking on his Precision podcast, the ex-middleweight titleholder noted that Topuria has been cleared to compete again and proposed a December return rather than waiting for a direct shot at UFC gold.

Topuria was beaten by Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, his first defeat in mixed martial arts. He exited the bout on his stool after the fourth round, having suffered two fractured orbital bones, a cracked septum and a broken foot. He later acknowledged he could not face his own reflection the following day.

Adesanya drew on his own history, having reclaimed the middleweight belt from Alex Pereira by knockout in an immediate rematch at UFC 287 after losing the title at UFC 281. Even so, he believes a different path suits Topuria, arguing that a fighter coming off such punishment needs to work out how to rebound before chasing a championship again.

Topuria entered the Gaethje fight as a heavy favorite following knockout victories over Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. Gaethje has signaled openness to running it back, while Arman Tsarukyan's recent win adds further movement to the lightweight division.