‘F*** you’: UFC superstar Ilia Topuria announces return…. with cheating taunt of new champ Justin Gaethje

Ilia Topuria is back – and ready to reclaim the UFC lightweight crown.

And the hyped Spaniard has done it via a social media post which not only takes aim at new champion Justin Gaethje, but claims the American favourite used illegal tactics in their hyped White House showdown earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Topuria also took a pointed dig at his critics declaring “now let’s see who’s got the balls”.

On the eve of this Sunday’s UFC 331 event in Los Angeles – which sees Mauricio Ruffy and Arman Tsarukyan throw down in a potential lightweight eliminator – the division’s former king has also officially announced himself back in the mix.

UFC 331: Van v Pantoja 2 | SUN 20 SEPTEMBER 11AM AEST | The UFC returns to Los Angeles for a blockbuster title showdown, as Joshua Van defends his crown against former champion Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch for the ages. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Apart from being dethroned on the White House lawn against Gaethje in June, one of the promotion’s biggest stars was also understood to have suffered several major injuries in a brutal fight where his corner eventually waved things off in the fourth round.

Yet Topuria has now used social media to announce his return, while also delivering a frank message to both Gaethje and the American’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz.

He also made explosive claims about the gloves of his rival.

“Final medical tests done. I’m back,” Topuria wrote overnight. “To all the clowns who’ve been talking s*** and counting me out this whole time, here I am.

“Now let’s see who’s got the balls.

“Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything weird on them. See you soon.”

The tweet was the first time Topuria has suggested Gaethje had something “weird” on his gloves during the fight.

While nothing has been confirmed regarding the former champ’s comeback fight, it is possible UFC boss Dana White simply orders an immediate rematch with Gaethje.

Certainly, the former champ was doing his best to set that up on ‘X’, following his first tweet up with a second that read: “By the way Justin, f*** you. And Ali, f*** you too.”

Another possible option is a fight against Paddy Pimblett.

The pair own a beef dating back to 2021, when they shared a UFC London card and got into a hotel lobby scuffle.

There is no doubting Gaethje-Topuria would be a big draw.

READ MORE UFC

‘STUPIDEST S*** I’VE DONE’: Wild moment Volk forced Aussie NFL beast who’s 100kg larger to tap

O’NEILL: She was rookie of the year but too ‘cocky’. Five years on this Aussie fight star is ‘ready to have my run’

Volk’s incredible 24,000km gesture as fellow star opens up on ‘crazy’ Aussie training sessions

However, there is also a chance the next UFC lightweight challenger will be decided during Sunday’s UFC 331 co-main between Tsarukyan and Ruffy, the latter of whom is set to be cornered by Australia’s Alexander Volkanovski.

Ruffy has spent part of his past two camps training out of Volkanovski’s Windang gym, where he has hailed the UFC featherweight champ and head coach Joe Lopez for making significant improvements to his grappling game.

Elsewhere at UFC 331, new flyweight champ Joshua Van will look to defend gold against the man he previously dethroned for the title, Alexandre Pantoja – and has also talked up the idea of working with Volk.

Speaking with MMA Fighting recently, Van said he met the Australian in June, and had watched ‘The Great’ train when their paths crossed in Washington DC during the build for the UFC White House card.

Volk was also present for that event to corner Ruffy.

“That guy is a very smart man,” Van said.

“I learned so many things from him. Just to be around, not even that long, but I was in the same room and learned so much just from watching him train.

“We kind of have the same body type and he’s a smart fighter; he’s not aggressive, he’s technical.

“So, I want to pick his brain. I want to learn as much as I can from guys like that. Wherever he wants to train, you know I’ll be there.

“It’s Volkanovski we’re talking about. He’s one of the greats for sure.”