Javier Mendez has watched Justin Gaethjevictory over Ilia Topuria nine times. The veteran coach says the back-and-forth action of the match will make it unlike anything he has seen.
Gaethje dethroned the previously undefeated Topuria to win
Ultimate Fighting Championship the lightweight title of the main tournament of the year
UFC Freedom 250 in the White House in June.
Javier Mendez praises Justin Gaethje for the dramatic momentum swings in his UFC title win over Ilia Topuria
After a close-fought first round, Topuria finished Gaethje with body shots and submission attempts in the second, but the American survived. “The Highlight” found success over the next two rounds, though “El Matador” continued to have his moments. Topuria’s corner stopped the fight after the fourth round, giving Gaethje the TKO victory.
Speaking on Submission Radio, Mendez described the bout as his favorite fight to watch, highlighting how the momentum shifted repeatedly between Gaethje and Topuria.
“I’ve watched that suck nine times now,” Mendez said.
Mendez said the action was back-and-forth from the opening bell to the finish, leaving him unsure who would ultimately emerge victorious. He contested the match Khabib Nurmagomedovvictory over Conor McGregorsaying he’s watched this fight three times.
“This one, from start to finish, there’s no way in hell you could say it was one-sided,” Mendez added. “This thing went back and forth from the beginning. Where in the history of MMA, seriously, think about when you’ve seen it go back and forth like this? Never.”
