Gaethje Claims Topuria Considered Quitting During UFC Fight

WHO:

Sportskeeda - Justin Gaethje was the latest guest on the Joe Rogan podcast.

Newsweek - Ilia Topuria was the opponent of Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.

WHAT:

MMA Fighting - Justin Gaethje stated, "I stopped him twice that night," referring to Ilia Topuria's performance during their fight at UFC Freedom 250.

MMA Fighting - Gaethje claimed Topuria "quit on the stool" during the fight, indicating that Topuria's corner waved off the bout after the third round.

MMA Fighting - Gaethje expressed uncertainty about Topuria's ability to bounce back from his loss, saying, "The odds are f*cking great against that right now."

MMA Fighting - Islam Makhachev stated that Topuria's team made an eight-figure salary demand, specifically $20 million, which caused a potential fight between them to fall through.

MMA Fighting - Makhachev said, "I got a call in the morning and was offered the fight... Then the next morning they called back and said that Topuria wanted something like $20 million. He was turned down."

MMA Fighting - Makhachev's manager claimed that Topuria's team turned down a fight with him for the same amount they agreed to fight Gaethje.

MMA Fighting - Islam Makhachev revealed that Ilia Topuria's team made an eight-figure salary demand, specifically $20 million, which caused a potential fight between them to fall through.

MMA Fighting - Makhachev stated, "I got a call in the morning and was offered the fight... Then the next morning they called back and said that Topuria wanted something like $20 million. He was turned down."

Sportskeeda - Justin Gaethje claimed that Ilia Topuria wanted to quit during their fight at UFC Freedom 250.

Newsweek - Justin Gaethje stated that Ilia Topuria does not deserve a rematch after UFC Freedom 250 and suggested another fighter for Topuria to face.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The fight took place at UFC Freedom 250.

WHEN:

MMA Fighting - Makhachev is set to defend his welterweight championship against Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330 on August 15, 2026.

Newsweek - UFC Freedom 250 is referenced but no specific date is provided.

WHY:

MMA Fighting - Makhachev's availability has allegedly been affected by a lingering hand injury, though he denied that an injury prevented him from fighting Topuria.

Sportskeeda - Gaethje's assertion that Topuria wanted to quit suggests he believed Topuria was not fully committed during the fight.

HOW:

MMA Fighting - Gaethje described Topuria's performance, noting that Topuria nearly finished him in the second round with body shots but could not secure a submission.

Sportskeeda - Gaethje discussed his victory and Topuria's performance during an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast.

In a recent interview, Justin Gaethje reflected on his fight against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, stating, "I stopped him twice that night." Gaethje claimed that Topuria "quit on the stool," as his corner chose to wave off the bout after the third round, and he expressed doubts about Topuria's ability to recover from this setback, saying, "The odds are f*cking great against that right now." Although Topuria nearly finished Gaethje in the second round with some powerful body shots, he ultimately failed to secure a submission.