"My father is my dad" - Ilia Topuria mocks UFC Freedom 250 opponent Justin Gaethje over recent gaffe

Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje seemed to initiate their professional feud on a rather respectful note, acknowledging one another's skills and accomplishments.

Nevertheless, things have gotten incredibly personal between the two rivals as of late. Well, the 29-year-old Topuria has now taken aim at Gaethje again, mocking the 37-year-old over a viral video clip wherein he seems to have committed a verbal faux pas. 

The chain of escalation in the Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje rivalry

Currently, reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is set to fight interim UFC lightweight titleholder Justin Gaethje. Their championship unification match will headline UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14. 

A few days ago, a video posted to Gaethje's YouTube channel featured his father, John Ray Gaethje, suggesting that Topuria was a "little, short guy" whom his son would handily beat. Topuria took to X and disagreed with John, promising that his son's defeat is imminent. 

Additionally, speaking to Fox Sports Australia, Justin Gaethje seemingly jibed at Topuria over the latter's divorce with ex-wife, Giorgina Uzcategui. Gaethje asserted, "I would leave him. That's all I'm saying. I would leave him." 

Following that, in the first episode of the UFC Freedom 250 Embedded: Vlog Series, Topuria hit back by addressing Gaethje whilst looking into the cameras and flipping him off. Their war of words has intensified since. 

Justin Gaethje's verbal gaffe in promotional interview before Ilia Topuria fight at UFC Freedom 250

During a recent promotional interview on the UFC on Paramount YouTube channel, Justin Gaethje was asked whether he felt he crossed a personal line by speaking about Ilia Topuria's divorce. Gaethje responded by asking what he'd said. 

"The Highlight" explained, "How did I allude to his family matters? I said, 'He's annoying. I would never wanna be in the same room with him. I understand why anybody would leave him.' Friend, wife, girlfriend, manager, coach." 

Gaethje reiterated that Topuria always speaks about himself, yet again insinuating that he believes the Georgian-Spaniard MMA fighter is very self-absorbed.

 

 

Furthermore, he took umbrage with a UFC promo video that Topuria shot, featuring a funeral-like setting displaying photographs of his vanquished foes as well as Gaethje. The Arizona-born fighter added, "If anything, I was defending his wife. I was like, 'I can understand. This moth*rf**ker's annoying.'" 

Moreover, during the interview, Gaethje appeared to misspeak, saying, "You know, my dad is my father." 

 

Check out the footage of Gaethje's apparent gaffe in the video below: 

Ilia Topuria mocks Justin Gaethje over his gaffe heading into their title fight at UFC Freedom 250

During the UFC Freedom 250 media day session, Ilia Topuria was asked about whether Justin Gaethje's remarks regarding his personal life surprised him. Topuria stated: 

"I was surprised, too, a little bit. I wasn't expecting him doing this kind of things. But it is what it is. We're ready for everything, for every kind of situation." 

Additionally, in regard to Gaethje's claim that he was simply joking by alluding to Topuria's divorce, the lightweight kingpin indicated that he doesn't take his statements personally.

"El Matador" notably referenced Gaethje's apparent verbal gaffe in the American fighter's aforementioned UFC on Paramount interview. Mocking him over the same, Topuria said: 

"He said so many things after what he said. First of all, he said that he wasn't meaning about the divorce. Then, he said that he was joking. Whoever, I don't care. Honestly, you can't take anything personal from an idiot. He's an idiot." 

Seemingly mimicking Gaethje, Topuria added, "'My father is my dad.' That's all." He smiled and continued, "Did you saw that video? 'My father is my dad.'" 

 

Check out Ilia Topuria's jibe at Justin Gaethje over his recent remarks below (*comments at the 0:13-minute mark of the video):