Matt Brown Warns 17-1 Topuria May Change After UFC White House Stoppage Loss
Updated
Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 16
Matt Brown Warns 17-1 Topuria May Change After UFC White House Stoppage Loss
3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 16
Summary
Matt Brown said Ilia Topuria’s first career defeat could be “life-changing,” arguing the 17-1 former champion may not return with the same confidence after being stopped by Justin Gaethje.
Sunday’s loss turned brutal as Gaethje swelled both of Topuria’s eyes, nearly forced a doctor stoppage in Round 3, then landed a body knee in Round 4 that led Topuria’s corner to halt the fight.
Brown said the bigger damage may be psychological, with Topuria’s aura of invincibility broken after a run in which he had backed up bold predictions against Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira.
For Topuria’s next move, Brown urged a return to featherweight, saying he looked undersized at lightweight and that punches which might stop most 145-pounders failed to deter Gaethje.