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Ilia Topuria did not lack confidence ahead of the UFC Freedom 250 main event with Justin Gaethje on Sunday, June 14. Gaethje’s confidence was on display during the fight.
Gaethje produced a shot of his own, right to the face of Topuria, to win the UFC lightweight championship.
Gaethje broke Topuira down throughout the four rounds, leaving his face battered and swollen.
After the third round, Topuria claimed he couldn’t see out of his eye and needed to be checked by a doctor, who was ready to stop the fight.
Topuria convinced medical officials in the octagon that he was good enough to continue the fight and compete in the fourth round. He did make it through the round but would not come out for the fifth after a corner stoppage, giving Gaethje the knockout win.
The historic night at the White House in Washington, D.C. saw more UFC history with it being the first fight card in the organization's history to feature a knockout in every fight.
Topuria had predicted that he was going to knock Gaethje out in the first round, but both fighters were aggressive in the early rounds. The first round did go in Topuria’s favor, ending it with several successful body shots, but he couldn’t close out the round with his pre-fight promise.
Before the fight, Topuria had called his shot once again in a promotional video package when he was seen walking in an all-black suit and holding a white rose, which was left in front of a framed photograph of Gaethje. The action symbolized a memorial tribute.
Along with Gaethje’s photograph was a row of other photographs that featured some of Topuria’s other opponents during his 17-fight win streak.
“Justin will fall at the White House. I have a special rose just for him,” Topuria said.
Topuria did have some other bright spots during the fight, tying for the longest knockdown streak (seven fights) in UFC history after getting Gaethje down on the ground with a powerful liver shot.
“I had to dig deep,” Gaethje said. “He rocked my chin and smoked my liver.”
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Justin Gaethje batters Ilia Topuria in UFC Freedom 250 main event
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Gaethje produced a shot of his own, right to the face of Topuria, to win the UFC lightweight championship.
Gaethje broke Topuira down throughout the four rounds, leaving his face battered and swollen.
After the third round, Topuria claimed he couldn’t see out of his eye and needed to be checked by a doctor, who was ready to stop the fight.
Topuria convinced medical officials in the octagon that he was good enough to continue the fight and compete in the fourth round. He did make it through the round but would not come out for the fifth after a corner stoppage, giving Gaethje the knockout win.
The historic night at the White House in Washington, D.C. saw more UFC history with it being the first fight card in the organization's history to feature a knockout in every fight.
Topuria had predicted that he was going to knock Gaethje out in the first round, but both fighters were aggressive in the early rounds. The first round did go in Topuria’s favor, ending it with several successful body shots, but he couldn’t close out the round with his pre-fight promise.
Before the fight, Topuria had called his shot once again in a promotional video package when he was seen walking in an all-black suit and holding a white rose, which was left in front of a framed photograph of Gaethje. The action symbolized a memorial tribute.
Along with Gaethje’s photograph was a row of other photographs that featured some of Topuria’s other opponents during his 17-fight win streak.
“Justin will fall at the White House. I have a special rose just for him,” Topuria said.
Topuria did have some other bright spots during the fight, tying for the longest knockdown streak (seven fights) in UFC history after getting Gaethje down on the ground with a powerful liver shot.
“I had to dig deep,” Gaethje said. “He rocked my chin and smoked my liver.”
The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Justin Gaethje batters Ilia Topuria in UFC Freedom 250 main event
Continue reading...
