Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje explode in UFC White House interview

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje went at each other during a heated face-to-face appearance on The Pat McAfee Show ahead of their UFC White House main event Sunday.

What started as a respectful matchup between titleholders has turned into a full-blown verbal war, according to MMA Fighting. Gaethje has targeted Topuria's ego and referenced his divorce, while Topuria fired back with jabs at Gaethje's father over a fight prediction.

Topuria promises first-round finish, Gaethje calls him a narcissist

Gaethje insisted he never meant to make things personal but acknowledged both fighters are vulnerable during fight week. "I think it definitely doesn't need to be personal," he said. "Ultimately, we're going to try to hurt each other and I guess that is pretty personal." Topuria seized on that phrasing: "You're going to try to hurt me and I'm actually going to hurt you. That's the difference between me and you."

The former lightweight contender doubled down on his criticism of Topuria's attitude. "He's a narcissist and believes everything he says. He sits around and smells his own farts and thinks he's God," Gaethje said, per the report. He noted he's a 5-to-1 underdog and thrives under that pressure, warning Topuria that doubt will creep in if the fight reaches the second round.

Topuria cut him off with another knockout guarantee. "There's never going to be a second or third round. I'm going to knock you out in the first round." When Gaethje pointed out he's been stopped before and has felt everything a fighter can feel, Topuria grew more animated. "I'm the motherf*cking champion, not you," he said. "So shut the f*ck up. I'm going to put him to sleep in the first round. Don't blink. Because it's going to be very quick."

The Georgian-Spanish champion also promised he would not shoot a single takedown no matter how the fight unfolds. Gaethje responded with sarcasm — "So scary, man!" — before acknowledging they're both trying to knock each other out. The two face off Sunday at UFC White House.

Photo: The White House / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — ‘I’m the motherf*cking champion … so shut the f*ck up’: Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje get heated during face-to-face interview | MMA Fighting