Credit: Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC

Former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria shared some good news about his return and accused Justin Gaethje of cheating.

Justin Gaethje handed then-UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria the first loss of his career at UFC Freedom 250 earlier this year. In an instant classic fight, Gaethje finished Topuria by TKO (corner stoppage) to win the undisputed lightweight championship.

It was a shocking end to the unprecedented event on the White House lawn. After winning the belt, Gaethje hasn’t fully committed to returning to the Octagon and teased potentially retiring.

But if Gaethje returns to defend the lightweight title, a matchup with either Arman Tsarukyan or Mauricio Ruffy is likely the next fight to make. Topuria is also nearing a potential return to the Octagon, although his team recently hinted that the former champ hasn’t resumed training since suffering multiple orbital fractures.

In one of his few social media statements since UFC Freedom 250, Topuria not only shut down his team’s dismissals, but also accused Gaethje of gaining an unfair advantage.

Ilia Topuria medically cleared, accuses Justin Gaethje of tampering with gloves

In a pair of recent tweets, Topuria shared that he’s medically cleared to return and accused Gaethje of tampering with his gloves at UFC Freedom 250.

“Final medical tests done. I’m back. To all the clowns who’ve been talking s— and counting me out this whole time, here I am,” Topuria began.

“Now let’s see who’s got the balls. Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time I’ll make sure they check Justin’s gloves so he doesn’t put anything weird on them. See you soon.

“By the way Justin, f— you. And Ali [Abdelaziz], f— you too.”

Tsarukyan and Ruffy will fight in a five-round co-main event this Saturday at UFC 331 in Los Angeles. Gaethje has repeatedly shut down granting Topuria an immediate rematch, although UFC CEO Dana White hasn’t ruled out that possibility.

As of this writing, there isn’t any direct evidence that Gaethje tampered with his gloves prior to UFC Freedom 250. Gaethje and his team haven’t responded to Topuria’s allegations.

Should the UFC book Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria 2? Share your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM