{"id":40741,"date":"2026-09-28T04:55:04","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T04:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sherdog.com\/news\/news\/Justin-Gaethje-shuts-down-Ilia-Topuria-quit-narrative-after-UFC-250-202985"},"modified":"2026-09-28T04:55:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T04:55:04","slug":"justin-gaethje-shuts-down-ilia-topuria-quit-narrative-after-ufc-250","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.martialartskleinanzeigen.com\/videos\/justin-gaethje-shuts-down-ilia-topuria-quit-narrative-after-ufc-250\/","title":{"rendered":"Justin Gaethje shuts down Ilia Topuria \u2018quit\u2019 narrative after UFC 250"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n

Justin
\nGaethje<\/a> has shut down a particular narrative that emerged after
\nhis win over Ilia
\nTopuria<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Gaethje captured the
\nUltimate Fighting Championship<\/a> lightweight title at
\nUFC Freedom 250<\/a>, where Topuria\u2019s corner called for a stoppage
\nbefore the final round. While many fans and fighters later claimed
\nthat \u201cEl Matador\u201d quit on the stool after the fourth round, Gaethje
\ndisagrees.<\/p>\n

\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Justin Gaethje says Ilia Topuria\u2019s corner made the decision to
\nstop the UFC title fight<\/h2>\n

Gaethje pushed back on that narrative during a podcast appearance,
\nsaying the former two-division champion was unable to continue
\nbecause of his condition and that his corner made the right
\ncall.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t quit on the stool,\u201d Gaethje said on the \u201cOne Night with
\nSteiny\u201d podcast. \u201cHis body was too compromised to continue
\nfighting. He didn\u2019t make the call; his coaches made the call
\nbecause they\u2019re there to protect him. My coaches are in my corner
\nto protect me in those times.\u201d<\/p>\n

Topuria initially congratulated Gaethje following the bout but has
\nsince accused the American of potentially loading his gloves. \u201cThe
\nHighlight\u201d said he isn\u2019t bothered by the Georgian-Spaniard\u2019s
\naccusation, instead pointing to the nature of the modern
\ninternet.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s part of your era,\u201d Gaethje added. \u201cYou guys say weird sh*t
\nfor fun, dude. I think the internet\u2019s crazy, man. It\u2019s clickbait,
\nengagement, we\u2019re farming out here. We\u2019re farming for interactions.
\nThat\u2019s what we\u2019re doing. More interactions, more eyeballs, more
\nopportunity. That\u2019s the game. I don\u2019t like the game, but I\u2019m going
\nto have to play the game. I\u2019m going to try and be me when I do
\nit.\u201d<\/p>\n