The UFC has released raw audio, giving fans a much clearer understanding of how the White House lightweight title unification showdown between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje unfolded.
In the freshly dropped raw audio, Dana White is heard pointing out in Round 2 that Topuria’s “eye looks messed up.
Meanwhile, Ilia’s brother Aleksandre warned him not to get crazy during exchanges. He said:
“Don’t get crazy when you exchange… You are much better than him [Justin Gaethje].”
Round 3 was the worst round for Topuria and the best comeback round for “The Highlight” as the 37-year-old managed to drop “El Matador” in the center of the octagon and turn his face into a bloody mess.
When the cage-side doctor checked Ilia Topuria after Round 3 and considered ending the fight, Marc Goddard decided to let the bout continue, as he didn’t want any more time wasted and Topuria was not yet ready to give up.
Dana White loved how Goddard handled the situation. The UFC CEO told Hunter Campbell:
“This ref is the best ref.”
The newly released audio confirmed that after Round 4, Aleksandre was the one who told Ilia:
“Ilia, no more fighting. It’s over.”
After telling his brother that they have to stop the bout, Aleksandre told Marc Goddard to call a stoppage.
Check out the post below for raw audio from the Topuria vs. Gaethje bout:
Paddy Pimblett calls Ilia Topuria a “fat featherweight”
Paddy Pimblett believes his archrival Ilia Topuria is not a natural lightweight, and if the 29-year-old fights him, he would move back down to 145 pounds. The Brit told Spinnin Backfist:
“I always say we have weight classes for a reason. He’s a fat featherweight. He is not a lightweight, and if I ever fight him, people will realize that. If he fights me, he will move back down to 145 [pounds] because he will realize how small he is for the weight [class].
Pimblett added that he believes Justin Gaethje was destined to beat him and then march forward to win the undisputed lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250. “The Baddy” also opined during the same sitdown that he knew after losing to “The Highlight” that “El Matador” was also going to share the same fate on June 14.
Check out Paddy Pimblett’s comments below:
