Conor McGregor had sharp words for Ilia Topuria after the previously undefeated dual-champion suffered a TKO loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on July 11 at the White House in Washington.
Topuria, who entered the event as an undefeated dual-champion in UFC history and one of the sport's popular stars, was stopped by doctor's stoppage TKO at the end of Round 4 against Gaethje.
Reacting to the upset, McGregor said of Topuria, "He quit himself. Sad to see. He earned a nice stripe however tainted, he will get stronger from this beating. What a sport!"
McGregor also pointed to Max Holloway’s history with Gaethje, saying, "Holloway flatlined Justin. Face down, out cold. It is a glorious time to be in the McGregor fight business!"
McGregor is set to return from a five-year layoff in a rematch against Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. McGregor holds a 22-6 MMA record and 10-4 UFC mark, while Gaethje sits at 28-5 in MMA and 11-5 in the UFC. Holloway previously knocked out Gaethje at UFC 300.
McGregor’s own first UFC loss came by submission to Nate Diaz at UFC 196, adding another layer of history to his reaction to Topuria’s first UFC defeat.
