Jorge Masvidal Defends Ilia Topuria After Brutal Loss Amid ‘Quitter’ Claims
Ilia Topuria’s brutal UFC Freedom 250 defeat sparked questions about the Spaniard’s grit, but Jorge Masvidal wants no part of the criticism:
.The former BMF titleholder insists Topuria never quit, pointing to the damage he suffered before the fight was stopped. Despite the setback, Masvidal has no doubts about where he would put his money if the UFC greenlights Topuria-Justin Gaethje 2.
Jorge Masvidal Would Still Bet on Ilia Topuria Against Justin Gaethje
Much like the hundreds, if not thousands, of fans who lost their bet, “Gamebred” too lost his bet on “El Matador” when he went up against “The Highlight,” Gaethje. However, while the veteran stunned the youngster, pummeling him as their bout went into the later rounds, Masvidal is not ready to write off Topuria after one defeat.
“If they fight again, I’d bet on Ilia (Topuria) again,” Masvidal told Full Mount MMA during a recent appearance.
His confidence is particularly notable given how strongly he backed Topuria before the Georgian-Spaniard's scheduled clash with Gaethje at UFC White House on June 14. Masvidal had previously predicted a devastating outcome for the American, even suggesting that Topuria would effectively end his opponent’s career.
Looking Back at UFC Freedom 250
Back then, Topuria was undefeated at 17-0 and had already built a track record that few lightweight contenders could match. He captured the featherweight championship with a knockout of Alexander Volkanovski in 2024, then defended the belt by handing Max Holloway (the same man who flatlined Gaethje for the BMF belt), the first knockout loss of his career. After moving up to 155 pounds, he stopped Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant lightweight title.
Gaethje, meanwhile, entered that matchup with a 27-5 record and four wins in his previous five fights. His lone defeat in that stretch came against Holloway. Nevertheless, Masvidal still believes Topuria’s underlying abilities remain intact, even if the latest defeat exposed vulnerabilities that were not as apparent during his rise.
Dissecting the bout, he added, “That first round, those first two blows that he got hit with, I felt like when I was watching it live, 'you’re not giving this guy enough respect'. You’re not using what has made you special: your feints, your footwork, you mix in a takedown. To me, he wasn’t like in other fights.”
“This fight he kind of rushed in and got right in the range. And it looked like he was maybe lure him right in and you know sleep him real quick.”
However, Masvidal's support does not mean he believes Topuria did everything right. In fact, his assessment of the opening exchanges points to a problem that could prove costly against another elite opponent.
Masvidal Explains Why Ilia Topuria Is a “Dog” Despite Brutal Defeat
The word “quitter” has become part of the conversation surrounding Topuria's defeat, but the 41-year-old believes the circumstances tell a different story. “People saying rumors that he quit. He never quit. The guy was in there fighting,” he said.
“He didn’t protest, but man, both of his eyes were shut. His nose was broken. I’m not trying to sympathize or nothing. But I’m just saying the facts.”
For the UFC veteran, that carries weight. A fighter accepting a stoppage is not the same as a fighter giving up, particularly when the damage has become severe enough to prevent him from continuing safely.
In fact, he argues that Topuria's willingness to keep fighting should not be erased simply because the contest ended in a defeat, stating, “The guy is a dog. He’s willing to die in there.”
Furthermore, Masvidal believes Topuria's natural gifts remain undeniable. But even a fighter with exceptional speed and power can be caught at the wrong moment, and one defeat can force him to reassess what brought him success in the first place.
“He happens to have the right skill sets to him, gifted genetically with speed and power. So, I think he learned that, even though he has all those gifts, you’re just human,” Masvidal explained.
Masvidal Zeroes in on Topuria's Mistake
Masvidal also questioned why Topuria appeared to rush into range rather than take the time to establish his usual rhythm. In his view, the champion seemed intent on finding a quick finish, leaving himself vulnerable instead of relying on the tools that had carried him through his undefeated run.
Now, the challenge is making sure one devastating setback does not pull him away from the disciplined approach that got him there. Masvidal is convinced that Topuria can learn from the experience. If the opportunity for another fight arrives, he will still be betting his house on Topuria.
