Not solely does Justin Gaethje not consider Ilia Topuria ought to get a rematch, he is additionally uncertain if Topuria can bounce again from his first loss.
In one of many largest moments and largest upsets in UFC historical past, Gaethje grew to become the undisputed light-weight champion of the world with a nook cease TKO win over High Lear in the principle occasion of UFC White Home.
In latest editions, joe rogan expertiseGaethje was requested if he may get again on monitor after Topuria’s crushing loss.
“At this level, that is very possible,” Gaethje mentioned. “I hope he (bounces again) and I do know he has the talents to be champion once more. However the identical factor with Tony Ferguson, I could not break Tony Ferguson’s confidence. I modified the opponent’s notion of him and that is a giant issue going into the struggle…
“Earlier he was a man you could not recover from, you could not push by way of, you could not survive with him. And if you happen to present folks that you simply simply need to get by way of it, now nobody’s going to go in there pondering he is invincible. And that was his identification. It’ll be a really troublesome job for him to struggle individuals who aren’t afraid of him.”
Topuria practically introduced Gaethje to the punch within the second spherical with brutal physique photographs. After dropping Gaethje, Topria went for a submission victory, however was unable to pressure a faucet or acquire a big advantageous spot to get it, and Topria seemed very drained when the horn sounded.
Gaethje then took the benefit with a giant third spherical and after the stanza it seemed just like the physician stopped the struggle, however ultimately the struggle continued, however after one other 5 minutes of motion, High Lear’s nook waved it away after High Lear seemed unrecognizable.
“He wished to stop,” Gaethje defined. “The reality is, as a fighter, you by no means say you are blind. It is over. And he anticipated it. He mentioned it already, so he did not need to say it once more. I do not assume he anticipated them to ship him again there…
“I finished him twice. I finished him twice that night time. There is no doubt about that.”
After the most important exhibition win of his profession, Gaethje remained decided to proceed combating, however there was nonetheless no clear path ahead when requested if Logan would proceed, if Gaethje’s subsequent struggle if he selected to proceed can be Arman Tsarukyan, or a rematch with Topuria.
“Proper now I am planning. I do not naturally have the sensation that it is over. I can not say I’ve a reputation. There is no rematch (for Ilia). He can attempt, however there is no rematch. He stop on the stool, I finished him twice. What else do I’ve to do?”
“His subsequent challenger cannot be me. He must struggle Paddy or somebody like that.”
