Justin Gaethje Stands Up for Ilia Topuria After UFC Freedom 250

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje spoke out in defense of his opponent, Ilia Topuria, following their bout at UFC Freedom 250. Despite Topuria's corner stopping the fight in the fourth round, Gaethje insisted that Topuria didn’t quit while sitting on the stool.

The stoppage came after Topuria’s team threw in the towel due to the cumulative damage he sustained, handing Gaethje a fourth-round TKO victory in what many called a major upset.

Gaethje Clarifies What Happened

On the One Night with Steiny podcast, Gaethje explained that the decision to end the fight was made by Topuria’s coaches, not the fighter himself. He emphasized that Topuria’s body was too damaged to go on and that the corner was there to protect him.

"He didn’t quit on the stool, his body was too compromised to continue fighting. He didn’t make the call, his coaches made the call because they’re there to protect him. My coaches are in my corner to protect me in those times," Gaethje said.

Potential Rematch or New Contender?

There is speculation about whether a rematch between Gaethje and Topuria will happen next. Although Arman Tsarukyan currently appears more deserving of a title shot with six consecutive wins, the UFC often prioritizes the most marketable fights.

If the promotion views a Gaethje-Topuria rematch as the biggest lightweight clash, Tsarukyan might have to wait longer for his opportunity. Meanwhile, Gaethje himself hasn’t decided if he will continue fighting or retire after sustaining significant damage despite winning against Topuria.

The UFC is allowing Gaethje time to consider his future in the sport, leaving fans eager to see what the champion chooses next.