Ilia Topuria benched six months for broken face following UFC White House medical suspensions

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WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Ilia Topuria of Spain speaks with the doctor in the Octagon against Justin Gaethje in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Not surprisingly, former lightweight champion Ilia Topuria was suspended six months following his UFC White House loss to Justin Gaethje, a four-round shellacking that left “El Matador” with a pair of broken orbital bones — and the first loss of his professional career.

“The Highlight” also got slapped with a six-month sit for possible injuries to his knee and wrist.

Joining them in the 180-day club are Alex Pereira, Aiemann Zahabi, and Steve Garcia, who all went down in flames at Freedom 250 last weekend in Washington, DC. That said, full clearance from a medical doctor is usually enough to bring them back early.

Here’s the full list of UFC White House medical suspensions, courtesy of MMA Junkie:

Justin Gaethje: Suspended 180 days or right wrist and left knee MRIs cleared; also suspended 45 days mandatory rest.
Ilia Topuria: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by oral and maxillofacial surgeon; also suspended 60 days for TKO.
Ciryl Gane: Suspended eight days mandatory rest.
Alex Pereira: Suspended 180 days or until maxillofacial CT scan cleared as negative; also suspended 45 days for TKO.
Sean O’Malley: Suspended eight days mandatory rest.
Aiemann Zahabi: Suspended 180 days or until maxillofacial CT scan cleared as negative; also suspended 45 days for TKO.
Josh Hokit: Suspended eight days mandatory rest.
Derrick Lewis: Suspended 45 days mandatory rest for TKO.
Mauricio Ruffy: Suspended four days mandatory rest.
Michael Chandler: Suspended 45 days mandatory rest for TKO.
Bo Nickal: Suspended four days mandatory rest.
Kyle Daukaus: Suspended 45 days mandatory rest for TKO.
Diego Lopes: Suspended 30 days or until left eye cleared by physician.
Steve Garcia: Suspended 180 days or until left hand X-ray cleared; also suspended 60 days mandatory rest for knockout loss.

Reminder: Fighters often return to action much quicker once doctors give them the green light. The lengthy suspensions are just a precaution in most cases. In addition, not all injuries are recorded during the post-fight examination and often times surface in follow-up tests.

For complete UFC White House results and video highlights click here.

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