UFC analyst Din Thomas says the first loss of Ilia Topuria’s career may prove to be the making of him, arguing that the soul-searching that follows an unexpected defeat often separates great fighters from truly elite ones.
Thomas spoke to MMA Junkie following Topuria’s fourth-round corner stoppage loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.
It’s the one that he needed. He has to do some soul-searching, because the same mentality that needed to be so great — he needs that now. To feel like you’re invincible and feel that you’re so great. That happens when you feel that and you trust in yourself and are drinking wine the night before the fight. Now you have to go back and question yourself, and that’s where the soul-searching begins. Now you start to have doubt. Do you trust yourself anymore and have these same beliefs? Are you as great as you thought you were? You have to go and have that same level of confidence knowing that it didn’t work against a guy like Justin Gaethje, where you were a 6-1 favorite. That’s a lot of soul searching. I think Ilia can do it.
Thomas praised Topuria’s initial public response to the defeat, drawing a comparison to Conor McGregor.
I like it — there’s no excuse for him. There’s no controversy surrounding his loss. It reminds me of when Conor lost. That to me is a sign of true greatness. He fought a great fight, he showed his toughness, and I think he’s going to be better for this. This is the type of fight that he needed to really step his feet into what everyone else in MMA has to experience. He’s going to be better from it. And I’m looking forward to seeing his next fight because of this loss.
Thomas offered a final assessment of where Topuria’s career now stands at 29 years old.
That’s what we’re going to find out about Ilia. I think his real career just started Sunday night.