Justin Gaethje secured a corner retirement victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.
What happened?
Gaethje's win was marred by allegations of an illegal eye poke tactic, with Merab Dvalishvili claiming it affected Topuria's performance.
Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie that Topuria was "blind since the first round" and "fighting with one eye".
Why it matters for Justin Gaethje
The allegations have sparked controversy, with some accusing Gaethje of intentionally using eye pokes to gain an advantage.
Paddy Pimblett and Rafael Fiziev have also accused Gaethje of using similar tactics in their fights against him.
What comes next?
Gaethje's reputation among UFC referees is under scrutiny, with the 37-year-old recently appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience to discuss his criticism of officials.
Topuria has revealed that he went blind in his right eye during the fight and later suffered a broken nose, but did not complain about the alleged eye poke at the time.
The UFC has not commented on the allegations, but the controversy is likely to continue, with Dvalishvili calling for a rematch between Gaethje and Topuria.
Gaethje's win over Topuria was his first title defense since becoming the lightweight champion, and he is expected to face another tough opponent in his next fight.
The eye poke allegations are not the first time Gaethje has been accused of using questionable tactics, with some critics arguing that he has a history of pushing the boundaries of what is allowed in the octagon.
Gaethje's fans, however, argue that he is a skilled and aggressive fighter who is simply trying to win, and that the allegations against him are unfounded.
The controversy surrounding Gaethje's win over Topuria is likely to continue, with the UFC community divided over the issue.
Gaethje's next fight is highly anticipated, with many wondering how he will respond to the allegations and whether he will be able to defend his title again.
The UFC Freedom 250 event was held on June 14, with Gaethje's win over Topuria being one of the most talked-about fights of the night.
Gaethje's performance was impressive, with many praising his skill and aggression in the octagon.
However, the allegations of an illegal eye poke tactic have tarnished his victory, and it remains to be seen how the controversy will affect his career.
Gaethje's reputation as a fighter is on the line, with many waiting to see how he will respond to the allegations and whether he will be able to defend his title again.
The UFC community is eagerly awaiting Gaethje's next fight, with many wondering what will happen next in the controversy surrounding his win over Topuria.