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UFC Champion Posts Photos From Lincoln Memorial Event and Threatens Rival Gaethje
Topuria praised UFC CEO Dana White for staging the UFC Freedom 250 event at the Lincoln Memorial and reiterated his plan to finish Justin Gaethje on Sunday night.
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UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria posted photos from the UFC White House press conference held at the Lincoln Memorial ahead of UFC Freedom 250. He attached a message praising Dana White for organizing the event. “Without a doubt, Dana White is one of the men I admire most.
What you’ve built and the event you’ve put together is truly historic. He added that he greatly respects White and views the White House event as a special moment in the sport.
Topuria is scheduled to defend his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje on Sunday night. He stated that the fight has become personal after Gaethje crossed a line. “Actually I thought he was a great guy.
But since he crossed the personal line he’s not gonna have my respect. All I need is 2 minutes in the octagon with you. Then I’m gonna put you to sleep in front of your whole family, your country, in front of everyone,” Topuria said.
He added that he would not show Gaethje respect after the fight and promised a finish and public humiliation. Topuria’s rise to champion occurred within the organization White built from near bankruptcy into a billion-dollar operation over the last 25-plus years. com reported.
The article was last updated June 13, 2026 at 2:48 PM ET.
