Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith believes Ilia Topuria should make a quick return to the Octagon following the first loss of his professional career.
Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Justin Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday night, surrendering the undisputed lightweight championship after his corner stopped the fight at the conclusion of the fourth round. The bout, contested on the South Lawn of the White House, delivered four grueling rounds of action and is already being discussed as a potential Fight of the Year candidate.
The loss marked a dramatic setback for Topuria, who entered the contest undefeated and overflowing with confidence. Throughout fight week, the Spanish-Georgian star spoke openly about dominating Gaethje and extending his reign atop the lightweight division.
Now facing the challenge of rebuilding after the first defeat of his career, Topuria may be best served by returning to competition sooner rather than later, according to Smith.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday, the former light heavyweight contender said he does not believe the physical damage Topuria sustained will keep him sidelined for an extended period.
“He definitely took big damage, but I didn't feel like he was wobbled a bunch,” Smith said. “I really felt like the damage at the end was that knee to the body. I mean, facial cuts and lacerations, they look terrible. I don't know how (quickly he heals), I bet he heals quickly. I bet in a week he's going to look almost new.”
While Smith acknowledged the punishment Topuria absorbed against Gaethje, he argued that the mental aspect of the loss could prove even more significant if the former champion remains inactive for too long.
“So I'd like to see him at the end of the year, though you don't want to sit on that too long,” Smith continued. “You don't want to because it'll f--k with you, it'll mess with how you feel about yourself, you know. Especially when you're at the level of superstar that he is, and the attention that he has, and he's going to be eating that one for a while, especially with the s--t that he says.”
Smith also pointed to Topuria's confidence heading into the fight and suggested the outspoken champion will now have to deal with the fallout from his pre-fight predictions.
“I mean, he had a celebratory dinner before and had a funeral for Gaethje before,” Smith said. “You're going to have to eat that s--t for a minute. So the quicker you can get back and be healthy and 100%, and try to get that monkey off your back, the better.”
