Colby Covington is siding with Ilia Topuria on the growing controversy surrounding Justin Gaethje’s gloves at UFC Freedom 250.
Speaking to Helen Yee, Covington gave his honest take on the images circulating online.
“It definitely looked like there was something in his glove. Like I don’t know what to say. Like it looked like off color. It didn’t look like the taping of like your hands. You know how all the UFC fighters get their hands wrapped? It looked like an off color like yellow. It didn’t look like white tape,” Covington said.
Justin Gaethje’s UFC Freedom 250 Win Draws Fresh Scrutiny
The comments add fuel to a controversy that first surfaced in the immediate aftermath of the June 14 fight, when Justin Gaethje, then a significant underdog, stopped previously undefeated champion Ilia Topuria via fourth-round TKO after his corner threw in the towel amid two fractured orbital bones and a broken nose.
Fans initially joked online that Gaethje had “rocks in his gloves,” a claim Gaethje dismissed at the time by saying “what a compliment” and pointing to UFC testing that reportedly confirmed he has some of the strongest bones on the roster. Covington himself has previously used similar language, alleging Gaethje “had rocks in his gloves” during a separate interview.
Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria Rematch Talk Heats Up as Jon Anik Weighs In
UFC commentator Jon Anik also addressed the situation, though with a more measured tone toward Ilia Topuria’s motives.
“I think anybody who has shaken Justin Gaethje’s hand knows that the guy has some natural gifts, and he used them to the best of his ability on June 14. Not sure if Topuria is maybe angling for a rematch,” Anik said.
Anik has separately suggested there are “internal conversations” within the UFC about booking a Topuria-Gaethje rematch, adding that he believes it’s likely to happen.
Also read: Justin Gaethje Fires Back at Ilia Topuria’s Loaded Gloves Accusation: “Do Better Kid”
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