Gaethje Rejects Topuria Rematch After 1st Career Loss at UFC White House
Updated
Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 21
Gaethje Rejects Topuria Rematch After 1st Career Loss at UFC White House
3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Jun 21
Summary
Justin Gaethje said Ilia Topuria should not get an immediate rematch after losing the lightweight title fight at UFC White House, arguing the challenger "quit on the stool" and was effectively stopped twice.
Gaethje pointed to the fight's turning points: Topuria hurt him with body shots in Round 2, failed to finish a submission, then faded badly as doctors considered stopping the bout before Topuria's corner waved it off later.
On the Joe Rogan Experience, Gaethje said the defeat may be hard for Topuria to overcome because opponents no longer have to view him as unbeatable, comparing that shift in perception to Tony Ferguson's decline after their fight.
The new champion also left his own future open, saying he plans to keep fighting but named no next opponent, while insisting Topuria should face someone else such as Paddy Pimblett rather than get another title shot.