Justin Gaethje and Trevor Wittman respond to loaded gloves allegations after beating Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250

Justin Gaethje and Trevor Wittman have touched upon one of the most controversial topics to have risen from UFC Freedom 250 -- the allegations of Gaethje using loaded gloves. 

For context, certain sections of the combat sports community have accused Gaethje of having used tampered gloves to amplify the impact of his punches against his opponent on the high-profile fight card, Ilia Topuria. 

Justin Gaethje became the first fighter to beat Ilia Topuria in MMA, stopping him via TKO at UFC Freedom 250

Gaethje, who's a former BMF champion and a two-time interim UFC lightweight champion, went into UFC Freedom 250 as the then-interim UFC lightweight titlist. 

The American was up against the then-unbeaten Georgian-Spaniard, Ilia Topuria, a former UFC featherweight champion and the then-UFC lightweight champion. Their fight headlined the special UFC event, which transpired at the White House in Washington on June 14. 

Many sportsbooks, as well as fans and experts, had Gaethje as a massive underdog against "El Matador." However, not only did he hold his own against Topuria, but he also ultimately secured a stoppage win over him. 

Gaethje's fourth-round TKO victory earned him the undisputed UFC lightweight championship. Additionally, Topuria suffered considerable damage to his face. It was subsequently revealed that he sustained non-displaced fractures in his orbital bones as well as a broken nose. 

Justin Gaethje and Trevor Wittman shed light on the glove tampering accusations against him after his UFC White House win

Well, some of Justin Gaethje's detractors went as far as questioning whether the fight was rigged in his favor, arguing that he was competing on home turf as an American against a foreigner in the Georgian-Spaniard Ilia Topuria. 

Furthermore, a few fans speculated whether the 37-year-old Gaethje utilized banned PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs)/steroids to help him beat Topuria, who many believe is in his athletic prime at the age of 29. 

In episode No. 181 of the JRE MMA Show, on the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast, which aired a few hours back, veteran UFC color commentator Joe Rogan hosted Gaethje and Trevor Wittman. 

Wittman, who's been Gaethje's head coach for years, took aim at the controversy surrounding the allegedly loaded gloves that his star pupil donned against Ilia Topuria. 

The ONX Sports founder said, "How about the people calling out his loaded gloves? Did you see the picture, the image -- there's, like, rocks in his hands?" 

Wittman and Rogan then concurred that some people were simply stupid. Gaethje chimed in and stated, "What a compliment. People saying I'm juiced (using steroids) -- what a compliment. People saying I got bricks in my f**king gloves -- what a compliment." 

Rogan further indicated that he ought to steer clear of people who make such negative assertions about him online. Nevertheless, Gaethje replied by suggesting that he reads comments from people who criticize him and utilizes them to fuel his success. 

"The Highlight" appeared to emphasize that he got to where he is by being "petty," which elicited laughter from Rogan. Meanwhile, Wittman underscored that he's warned Gaethje to refrain from paying too much attention to such criticisms, as they could adversely affect his mind. 

Gaethje reaffirmed that he knows what his detractors are saying and that their criticism is partly why he won.

Moreover, Topuria has affirmed his desire for an immediate title rematch against Gaethje. That said, other 155-pound contenders like Charles Oliveira have started calling out the American to defend his title against them instead. 

 

Watch Justin Gaethje and Trevor Wittman discuss the polarizing loaded gloves topic with Joe Rogan below (*comments at the 1:18:06-minute mark of the video):