Ilia Topuria has humorously addressed the recent announcement that top contender Arman Tsarukyan will be the backup fighter for the lightweight title unification bout between Topuria and Justin Gaethje. The fight is scheduled for June 14th.
UFC President Dana White confirmed Tsarukyan’s role earlier this week. In response, Topuria, who has a history of not favoring Tsarukyan, playfully taunted him about being designated as a backup fighter for a lightweight title fight once again. Topuria commented:
“He’s always a backup.”
In a separate interview, Topuria further elaborated that he is indifferent to who his opponent will be on June 14th, expressing confidence that the outcome will remain the same regardless of the fighter standing across from him.
“I absolutely don’t care about it. I’m going to be in that octagon no matter what happens… the result is the same with everyone.”
Justin Gaethje Issues a Stern Warning to Ilia Topuria
Prior to this, during a press conference, the current interim UFC lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje, delivered a strong warning to Ilia Topuria. Gaethje declared his intention to put everything on the line, promising to unleash powerful strikes on June 14th with the aim of knocking out the reigning UFC lightweight champion.
Gaethje, who could potentially see this as his last fight if he doesn’t secure a victory, seems unfazed by the risks involved in pursuing the undisputed title. He stated:
“I am so ready to put it on the line, I don’t give a f*ck if I lose or win. I am coming in there, and I am gonna knock this motherf**er out. I will be throwing missiles on the White House lawn on June 14. I promise you that.”