The UFC Freedom 250 pre-fight press conference has concluded, with the biggest moment coming when UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria shoved Justin Gaethje during their face-off.
Topuria and Gaethje are set to headline the historic White House card on Sunday night to unify the 155-pound title. Ahead of the bout, both fighters have fired verbal shots at each other, with ‘El Matador‘ maintaining his trademark confidence.
Topuria has predicted an early knockout in his upcoming bout, a statement that has not sat well with the interim champion. After a constant back-and-forth during the presser, Topuria pushed Gaethje during the face-off despite Dana White asking him to keep his cool. The tense exchange began when Gaethje dared the Georgian-Spaniard to hit him (h/t Championship Rounds on X):
Gaethje: “You gonna hit me? Do it. I’m close enough right now.”
Dana White: “Don’t do it.”
*Topuria shoves Gaethje*
Topuria: “I don’t want to hurt you… that’s why I didn’t punch you in your face.”
Check out the incident below:
Ilia Topuria promises first-round knockout and dares Justin Gaethje to prove him wrong
Ilia Topuria did not back away from the mental warfare during the presser. He has promised to knock out Justin Gaethje in the first round and dared ‘The Highlight’ to prove him wrong. He said (h/t Home of Fight on X):
“I feel that I’m the best. If you think I’m not, just prove me wrong if you can. I know that I’m gonna take his lights out in the first round.”
Check out Ilia Topuria’s comments below:
The bout will mark Topuria’s first defence of the 155-pound title. Meanwhile, it is likely the final opportunity for Gaethje to claim undisputed lightweight gold, having fallen short on two previous occasions.
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