Ilia Topuria has delivered a fiery early statement ahead of his lightweight title defence, shoving Justin Gaethje during a relatively respectful UFC press conference staged at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC.
Set against one of America’s most recognisable landmarks, some of the UFC’s biggest names assembled at the historic site on Saturday (AEST) as the promotion ramped up preparations for its blockbuster White House event.
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In the main event, Topuria will look to defend his belt for the first time against Gaethje, with tensions between the pair steadily building over recent weeks.
“I’m going to knock him out in the first round,” the Spaniard declared.
Gaethje explained that the lead-up had taken on a personal edge because “fighting is personal”.
“Fighting is personal,” he said.
“We try to beat each other up. Only us fighters understand it… as fighters, that’s what we do.”
However, the press conference took a strange turn with American heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit emerging as a bizarre scene-stealer, shifting attention away from the main event fighters with a subdued version of his unusual “Incredible Hok” persona.
Hokit repeatedly interrupted fighters to offer compliments before quickly apologising, prompting frustration from Topuria.
“Just shut up!” Topuria said, as tensions briefly flared.
But Hokit escalated the moment further, firing a sharp jab at the champ.
“Topuria is so mad because he can’t see himself in the bathroom mirror and he married a stripper,” he said.
The comment referenced Topuria’s recent highly publicised divorce, which saw him take an extended period away from competition.
Topuria and Gaethje both looked fired up for Monday’s showdown, with tensions threatening to boil over during face-offs at the conclusion of the event.
The pair exchanged verbal barbs before Topuria snapped and shoved Gaethje.
UFC president Dana White and security quickly stepped in to separate the fighters, as Gaethje gestured toward the historic surroundings.
“Look where we are!” he said.
“You want to act like a f*cking animal?
“Like an emotional little animal.”
Topuria then showed off his belts.
“It’s mine boy,” he said.
“It looks much better on me.”
Elsewhere, former champion Alex Pereira drew a huge reaction during his face-off with Ciryl Gane, shouting his trademark “Chama!” while holding his belts aloft.
Heavyweight veteran Derrick Lewis also made his intentions clear ahead of his bout with Hokit.
“Nobody likes this guy,” Lewis said.
“I gotta put this guy out – first round knockout.”
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Hokit responded in kind.
“I like Lewis, Topuria… it’s just regular Josh today. I’m trying to keep the Incredible Hok from coming out,” he said.
“I like Derrick. He’s making something of his life.”
Meanwhile, Sean O’Malley also faced off with Aiemann Zahabi, promising a statement finish as fight day edges closer.