Justin Gaethje says he knew an upset was coming the moment Ilia Topuria failed to finish him in the second round, explaining that Topuria’s own pre-fight proclamations created the psychological pressure that ultimately broke him.
Gaethje spoke at the UFC Freedom 250 post-fight press conference after claiming the UFC lightweight title in one of the biggest upsets in the promotion’s history.
When he didn’t get the finish in the second round, I really think it took his spirit. Again, I said it in the press conference leading up. He really backed himself into a corner saying he was going to be so dominant. I said it. When you go to the second round, you’re going to be like, ‘What the fck?’ And when we go to the third round, you’re going to be like, ‘What the fck?’ That’s what I did tonight.
Gaethje reflected on the emotion of finally reaching the top of the sport after nearly a decade in the UFC.
It’s really hard to put things into words right now. Such a crazy moment. A lot of delays: rehearsal, delayed. Tonight, delayed. But yeah, I wouldn’t recommend this to my enemy. We’re some of the toughest people on this earth mentally and physically.
Gaethje had previously come up short in two title bids — losing an interim unification fight to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020 and a vacant title fight to Charles Oliveira in 2022. His corner stoppage win over Topuria at 28-5 ends a wait of nearly ten years since joining the UFC roster.