“Look at My Face!” Justin Gaethje Explains Secret Behind Overpowering Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250

Justin Gaethje opened up about surviving heavy damage against Ilia Topuria and what helped him stay in the fight at UFC Freedom 250.

“Look at My Face!” Justin Gaethje Explains Secret Behind Overpowering Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250

Justin Gaethje reflects on his war with Ilia Topuria [via MMA Fighting and Instagram]

After 5 cracks at the title including interim fights, Justin Gaethje is finally the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. Not only did the ‘Highlight’ have to wade through the shark-infested waters of the UFC lightweight division, he had to slay ‘El Matador’ to win the belt. As such, after the victory during the post-fight interview, Gaethje reflected on the hardships he endured in the cage against Ilia Topuria.

Topuria and Gaethje went to absolute war with each other before the Spaniard was forced to quit on the stool at the end of the 4th round. The accumulated damage was simply too much with his face leaking blood all over the octagon floor and his eyes swollen shut. It was clear that the former lightweight champion had a rough night at the White House.

However, the newly crowned lightweight champion of the world wasn’t much better off despite sporting less damage on his face. The American lightweight survived some nasty blows from Topuria including a liver shot in the second round that briefly debilitated him. Gaethje later credited his largely unblemished face and otherworldly durability to his genetics during the octagon interview with Joe Rogan.

I got my dad’s German hard, thick bones, and I am made for these moments. This sport was made for me, and I’ve shown you why. I’m the most consistent, most exciting guy that’s ever been in this cage…That guy had me in trouble. He had me rocked my chin, smoked my liver, and I stuck in it, and look at my face. I got some thick skin, I’ll tell you that. Something’s wrong with my face. It needs to be studied.

Justin Gaethje in his UFC Freedom 250 octagon interview

The former two-time interim lightweight champion has demonstrated an ability to weather incredible punishment at the hands of his opponents.

On numerous occasions, such as his first fight with Dustin Poirier or his barnburner against Michael Chandler, Gaethje demonstrated that he can endure a lot of punishment.

Even so, the new champion showed via his shocking upset victory that he can not only endure punishment, but also dish it out when his moment arrives.

This win will go down as one of the biggest upsets ever as even Topuria had pointed out before the fight that the result was viewed as a foregone conclusion by fans.

Following the win, at the post-fight press conference, the Highlight revealed what he believed was the secret behind the Spaniard’s loss.

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Justin Gaethje talks Ilia Topuria’s liver shot while revealing secret behind his victory

Things looked bad for Justin Gaethje by the end of the second round. After appearing to win a closely contested first round, the American fighter crumbled after Ilia Topuria hit him with a thunderous body shot. The former featherweight then dominated Gaethje on the ground, desperately chasing a finish but ultimately failed.

Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje
Ilia Topuria v Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 [via Instagram]

Despite being on the wrong end of the body shot and subsequent ground control, the UFC lightweight champion believes it was the turning point of the fight.

At the post-fight press conference, the 37-year-old praised Topuria’s punches revealing that he was still feeling the effects of the body shot before explaining why the second round changed the course of the fight during the post-fight press conference.

I mean, my liver still hurts right now. Those body shots were crazy. I mean, he was really, really fast. But, you know, when he didn’t get the finish at the end of the second round, I think it really took his spirit.

Justin Gaethje via UFC Freedom 250 post-fight presser

Before the fight, Gaethje had alluded to having a “secret plan” in order to beat Ilia Topuria. While it is unclear whether he ended up employing that plan, the two-time interim champion definitely lived up to his prediction of making the Spaniard increasingly uncomfortable as the fight progressed. The American lightweight admitted that something was “different” about his opponent after being forced to back up.

Utimately, what the 37-year-old pulled off a few hours ago at the White House was nothing short of legendary. After confirming that he would not be making the call on his retirement right now, the future of Justin Gaethje and the UFC lightweight division will be worth keeping an eye on moving forward.

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