Merab Dvalishvili reveals Ilia Topuria was ‘fighting blind’ after first round against Justin Gaethje

Ilia Topuria suffered the first loss of his UFC career when Justin Gaethje stopped him after four rounds at UFC White House, and close observer Merab Dvalishvili says the former lightweight champion was severely compromised by eye damage from the opening round onward.

Topuria's face told the story: both eyes nearly swollen shut, cuts across his face, and visible trauma that forced his corner to stop the fight before round five. Dvalishvili, Topuria's longtime friend, revealed to MMA Fighting that an early punch—possibly an accidental eye poke from Gaethje—left Topuria "fighting blind" for the majority of the contest. Despite the visual impairment, Topuria came close to finishing Gaethje with a body shot that dropped him, and Dvalishvili believes that if Topuria had continued with hammerfists instead of chasing a submission, he might have ended the fight.

Dvalishvili, who is preparing for his own bout against Olympic wrestler Henry Cejudo on July 11, acknowledged Gaethje's victory but stressed that Topuria was not himself that night. The eye damage and what Dvalishvili believes was a broken nasal bone severely limited Topuria's ability to see and fight effectively. "Ilia was fighting blind," Dvalishvili emphasized. "That affects the fight. That was the main thing."

The loss has weighed heavily on Dvalishvili, who admitted he has struggled to sleep since the fight, distressed by the manner of his friend's defeat and online commentary in their native country. Still, he expressed confidence that Topuria will return stronger and more motivated, eventually reclaiming his title. Gaethje has ruled out an immediate rematch but indicated he plans to continue fighting rather than retire. Arman Tsarukyan is currently the leading contender for Gaethje's next title defense.