Ilia Topuria Says He Will Not Show Respect to Justin Gaethje Before June 14 Fight
UFC champion Ilia Topuria stated he will not shake hands with Justin Gaethje or show respect during their June 14 bout. The change followed comments by Gaethje about Topuria's past relationship.
yardbarker.comUFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria said he will not shake hands with Justin Gaethje or show respect during their June 14 fight. Topuria stated the shift occurred after Gaethje referenced Topuria's ex-wife during fight-week exchanges. The champion said he previously planned to show respect after a knockout but will now withhold it.
Background to the exchange Gaethje had earlier described Topuria as emotional during a May press conference and said opponents should not let others control them. Topuria had previously spoken positively about other opponents ahead of title fights. "I always had the desire to knock him out.
After knocking him out, I would shake his hand and show him respect, but this time it's not going to be like that. I'm not going to show him any respect," Topuria said. The fight remains scheduled for June 14.
