Justin Gaethje Discusses Fiery Rapport with Topuria Ahead of Freedom 250

Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) is facing one of the biggest fights of his life this weekend. On Sunday night, UFC Freedom 250 takes place on the south lawn of The White House in Washington, DC, an event officially confirmed to be going ahead as of Friday afternoon after a legal challenge to stop the card from taking place was dismissed. 

In the main event of the evening at UFC Freedom 250 this Sunday, a unification battle will be taking place at lightweight. Justin Gaethje will attempt to become the permanent UFC Lightweight Champion when he meets current titleholder Ilia Topuria  (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC.)

It'll be a five-round fight at five minutes per round to close out the activities in the nation's capita. As the clock continues to tick down to fight night, the exchanges between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria have gotten increasingly more fervent, with Ilia Topuria's divorce being a target of some of Gaethje's remarks leading up to the contest.

Justin Gaethje Appears on The Daniel Cormier Show Friday

Ahead of UFC Freedom 250, Daniel Cormier, who will be working the event's telecast on Paramount Plus as color commentator, has been holding one-on-one interviews with the fighters featured on the card. Friday, Justin Gaethje had his turn for an interview with DC.

The conversation began with Cormier asking "The Highlight" why he wasn't informed of his spot on UFC Freedom 250 before it was officially announced.

"That's not true!," Justin Gaethje began. "I found out after we golfed and before they announced it. I didn't know!"

Justin Gaethje Reveals Feelings About Fighting on UFC Freedom 250, Talks Wrestling Past

After Justin Gaethje and Daniel Cormier discussed the game of golf, the interview went back to more pressing matters, such as the fight itself on Sunday evening. The former opened up on what it's going to be like competing at The White House over the weekend.

"I'm very excited," he said. "What a life. I've been on some of the biggest events: UFC 300, co-main event, first Paramount Plus card, main event, and now, I get to headline this one." 

Justin Gaethje is coached by Trevor Wittman and Cormier cited an interview from a recent episode of UFC Freedom 250 Countdown in which Gaethje's approach to fights was discussed. Gaethje delved into how his style of fighting has lent itself to high-profile slots on marquee shows.

"I never decided I was an exciting wrestler, which is very hard to do," Justin Gaethje continued. "It's boring. My wrestling matches were exciting. I always had the crowd on their feet. It's just the way I compete. I don't know why."

Justin Gaethje Clarifies Earlier Comments on Ilia Topuria and Discusses Shift in Tone with Champ

As previously mentioned, the rapport between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria has gotten more contentious in the days leading up to Sunday evening's main event. "The Highlight" says that this is the way it should be before a fight.

"As a competitor, I would prefer this route," he mentioned. "The Internet is a crazy world, and it's not real life. Everything's taken out of context. Text always looks worse than video because everybody's putting their own sauce onto it."

To prove his point, Gaethje took a moment to reiterate what he jokingly said about Topuria in the past as it relates to his divorce.

"I said he's an annoying little bastard," he said of Ilia Topuria. "He can't stop talking about himself, he probably walks around sniffing his own farts. I can understand why she left."

"The Highlight" on Ilia Topuria, Continued

Justin Gaethje's comments on Ilia Topuria didn't end there. Cormier asked why Gaethje finds the lightweight champion obnoxious.

The interim champion offered a simple answer.

"I don't know him that well," he continued. He's also spent a lot of time bashing me and saying how bad I am and how unworthy I am."