Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje are deep in the mental warfare stage, even though the fight is still a few weeks away. The two lightweights squared off for the second time during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference in Newark. Topuria looked laser-focused. Gaethje, though, looked amused, almost like he believed the undefeated champ was already falling into a trap.
So, Topuria has been openly “manifesting” victory for weeks now. Reports tied to RMC Sport Combat and Yahoo Sports alluded to the champ already updating parts of his social media around a future 18-0 record. What’s more, he talked about becoming a three-weight champion before turning 30, also planning a celebration dinner before the fight night itself, the very approach he reportedly used ahead of Alexander Volkanovski.
Justin Gaethje says Ilia Topuria is getting too emotional
According to Gaethje, that same confidence may not work. On May 11, the interim lightweight champ said Topuria’s biggest mistake is trying to win the fight mentally before the cage door even closes. The 37-year-old believes he’s allowing emotions and public narratives to dictate the matchup and not respecting the chaos that comes with fighting someone like him.
“You can’t let another man control you like that. Never.”
Gaethje reportedly felt Topuria became “very emotional” during the press conference exchange. Via his perspective, that emotional investment is exactly what creates openings inside the Octagon. The Arizona slugger alluded that he trusts his own instincts and experience, and doesn’t pay any heed to public hype or manufactured confidence.
Topuria, meanwhile, doubled down on his trademark swagger. During Friday’s media session, he dismissed concerns over backup fighter Arman Tsarukyan being added to the UFC Freedom 250 main event. ESPN reported on May 9 that Dana White officially named Tsarukyan as the emergency replacement for the June 14 White House card in Washington, D.C.
