On June 14, the world will stop to attend the most important event in the history of MMA: UFC White House. The main fight of the card will be the one that faces Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje to unify the lightweight belts, and ‘El Matador’ has sent a serious warning to the American in the first official press conference that was held last Friday.
As is customary, the trust de Ilia is overwhelming, and she let her next rival know this. “One thing I know is that he has never fought someone like me. The only thing I ask of him is that he shows up to the event, and I will do the rest“said Topuria, who despite respecting ‘The Highlight’ has predicted an ending similar to that of his previous rivals in title fights, whom he ended up knocking out.
One thing I know is that he’s never fought with someone like me
In fact, after learning that Arman Tsarukyan will be the replacement fighter for this fight, his response followed the same line. “I don’t care who’s in front of me. On June 14 I’m going to break jaw of the one in front of you. Arman or Justin,” he said. In fact, Topuria is already finalizing its camp in Miamiwhere he is training with high-level fighters and his usual team to reach 100% for an appointment historic, unique and unrepeatable.
Photo montage by Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria.
Gaethje puts Topuria on par with Khabib
The B side of this story is Justin Gaethje, who knows that you have nothing to lose and that he is facing his last opportunity to become undisputed champion of the category. The American has been interim champion twice, and this will be his third chance for the undisputed belt, so his mission is to make history and put the gold brooch to an incredible race to honor an entire country on a day that will celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States.
It is the second most difficult test I have had, along with Khabib Nurmagomedov
Of course, he is also aware of the capital challenge which he faces, as he made clear in the same press conference. “It is the second most difficult test I have had, along with Khabib Nurmagomedov. The three consecutive victories he has had are spectacular, and that will give more value to my victory,” he said.
In fact, he knows that he is not the favorite, but his strategy is clear: kill or be killed. “It’s a dream come true. Representing my country at this level at this point in my career is something I could never have dreamed of. I don’t care if he wins or not, I’m going to go there and try to knock him out “I’m going to launch missiles that night,” he concluded. Therefore, barring any surprise, the main event of the UFC Casa Blanca will be an ode to MMA, where both fighters will go out to try be finished mutually from the first second.