UFC White House: Ilia Topuria shoves Justin Gaethje in front of Lincoln Memorial
Ilia Topuria pushed Justin Gaethje in front of the Lincoln Memorial during his final press conference before the UFC’s unprecedented showcase at the White House on Sunday.
After both fighters predicted victory in their unification fight, 29-year-old lightweight champion Topuria pushed interim titleholder Gaethje, who laughed off the incident.
As UFC president Dana White separated the fighters with a wry smile on his face, American Gaethje was heard saying to Topuria: “Look where we are, look at this beautiful view and you want to act like an animal?”
Earlier, Georgian-Spanish Topuria had told 37-year-old Gaethje that he would “put his lights out in the first round”.
“I know I am the best in the world, in two days we will share the same place. I know I am the best, prove me wrong if you can,” said Topuria.
The press conference was held in Washington, D.C., two days before the event on the South Lawn of the White House.
The one-of-a-kind show, called UFC Freedom 250, takes place on US President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday, as part of the celebrations of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.
The Lincoln Memorial provided a spectacular setting for the warriors, who were provided a guard of honor by U.S. Army Herald Trumpets before taking their seats.
While there were exciting moments between Topuria and Gaethje, little was said between French Ciryl Gane and Brazilian Alex Pereira, who will fight for the interim heavyweight championship in the co-main event.
If Pereira wins, he will become the first fighter in UFC history to win belts in three divisions, after previously holding the middleweight and light-heavyweight titles.
Previously, Topuria described Pereira as the GOAT (greatest of all time) for his achievements inside the octagon.
“He’s already the goat. He’s already one of the goats, because we have a lot of goats in this sport. He will join that list, no doubt,” he said.
The press conference was also interrupted multiple times by American heavyweight Josh Hokit, and Topuria at one point asked the UFC to turn off his microphone.
