Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria were kept apart at the UFC White House ceremonial weigh-ins on Sunday, as tensions spiked ahead of their main event clash.
Gaethje enters as a heavy underdog against the reigning and defending UFC lightweight champion Topuria, who is aiming to improve his record to 18-0. Dana White stood between the headliners at the faceoff after a previous shove from Topuria at the pre-fight press conference.
“I was absolutely made for this shit right here,” Gaethje said. “I am blessed to be in this position that I am and I will take his ‘O’ from him tomorrow night. You watch.”
Topuria, introduced as “El Matador,” framed the bout as a defining moment. “Since I was a kid I always heard this little call ‘the American dream,’” he said. “I never really understood the meaning of that word. But tomorrow night, we are going to live the American dream. I’m going to get another victory. 18-0. I’m going to get that victory with fashion. See you tomorrow night. Let’s go.”
In the co-main event, Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane will meet with the interim heavyweight title on the line. Pereira is seeking to become the first three-division champion in UFC history after winning titles at light heavyweight and middleweight.
Further down the card, Josh Hokit and Derrick Lewis had a heated faceoff that required security intervention. Lewis was a late addition to the event after President Donald Trump personally requested his presence, and his matchup with Hokit is scheduled as the seventh and final fight on the card. Hokit is looking to stay undefeated after a potential Fight of the Year win over Curtis Blaydes.
