Justin Gaethje Stops Ilia Topuria for UFC Lightweight Title as Coach Cites Round-2 Grounding Mistake
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 16
Justin Gaethje Stops Ilia Topuria for UFC Lightweight Title as Coach Cites Round-2 Grounding Mistake
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 16
Summary
Trevor Wittman said Topuria’s pivotal error came after a second-round body shot dropped Gaethje: instead of pressing the finish, he took the hurt challenger to the ground and let him recover.
Gaethje had already damaged Topuria’s right eye with his jab, and Wittman’s plan to use footwork, left-side angles and early high kicks was designed to draw Topuria into dangerous exchanges as he tired.
Round 3 and Round 4 then swung decisively to Gaethje, who battered Topuria around the cage, broke both orbital bones and forced Topuria’s corner to stop the fight before Round 5.
The win gave Gaethje his first undisputed UFC lightweight crown after two interim titles and two failed undisputed title bids, in what Wittman suggested was likely his last shot at the belt.