Justin Gaethje doesn't believe Ilia Topuria gave up during UFC Casa Branca , held in June. At the time, the Spaniard was the favorite for the fight, but left the event badly injured after losing his lightweight title (up to 70,3 kg) and his undefeated record. The fight ended between the fourth and fifth rounds when his team decided not to allow him to continue.
In a statement to the program 'One Night with Steiny', Gaethje stated that Topuria did not make the decision to abandon the fight. According to the American, the Spaniard's physical condition was too serious for him to continue, and the stoppage came from the coaches, who acted to preserve the athlete's well-being.
See too
“( Ilia Topuria ) didn’t give up on the bench. His body was too compromised to continue fighting. He didn’t make the decision. His coaches made the decision because they are there to protect him,” said Justin Gaethje.
Justin Gaethje transformed Ilia Topuria's face at UFC Casa Branca
Topuria was punished by Gaethje in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC
After a balanced first round, Ilia Topuria returned for the second determined to justify his five-to-one odds against Justin Gaethje at UFC Casa Branca . Despite landing some good strikes and coming close to finishing the fight, the American held on, and the Spaniard returned for the third round already showing clear signs of fatigue.
With Topuria slowing down, Gaethje began to find his range with precise jabs and even managed to stagger the former champion with a powerful straight punch. Gradually, the Spaniard's face became deformed from the accumulated damage, until, in the break between the fourth and fifth rounds, his team opted to stop the fight.
After the fight, it was confirmed that Topuria suffered fractures to the orbital bones of her face and to her nose.
Johnny Walker opens up about his heavyweight debut at UFC 332.
Comments