Overview
- Ilia Topuria publicly accused Justin Gaethje of having “something” on or in his gloves after Gaethje beat him in June, pressing for a rematch.
- The California State Athletic Commission and fight officials inspected Gaethje’s hand wraps and gloves and reported no irregularities.
- UFC president Dana White repeated that inspectors watched Gaethje get his hands wrapped and put his gloves on and that nothing improper occurred.
- Gaethje has called Topuria’s claim “lame” and said he will not fight again this year while Topuria completed final medical tests and is targeting an early‑2027 return.
- Arman Tsarukyan’s knockout at UFC 331 has strengthened his title‑contender case and, together with Gaethje’s uncertainty about retirement, leaves the UFC deciding between a rematch or a new challenger.