Ilia Topuria Pushes Justin Gaethje in Intense UFC Face-Off at the White House, Prompting Intervention from Dana White and Security

ILIA TOPURIA shoved Justin Gaethje during a tense face-off following the UFC White House press conference.

The pair, 29 and 37 respectively, headline the leader’s on Sunday.

Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje headline the UFC’s historic White House card this weekend Credit: UFC The pair will throw down in the shadow of the Oval Office Credit: GETTY

The build-up to the card was initially cordial until Gaethje made reference to Topuria’s recent divorce.

Both men have been trading shots on online and in the media.

They did so again during a picturesque press conference at the Lincoln Memorial in the early hours of the morning.

And after throwing verbal jabs, they took part in a tasty penultimate pre-fight face off in front of the iconic American monument.

And Topuria took the early opportunity to put hands on Gaethje, shoving him with both hands in the chest.

Dana White and security quickly stepped in and prevented Gaethje from going at ‘El Matador’.

The pair continued to trade verbal jabs before eventually going there separate ways.

Two-division champion Topuria will be fighting for the first time in just shy of a year.

Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje took part in a tense post-presser face offf Credit: CHISANGA MALATA ‘El Matador’ took the opportunity to shove Gaethje in the chest Credit: CHISANGA MALATA

The Georgian-born Spaniard hasn’t set foot inside the cage since he in their Sin City showdown at 317.

And he insists the same fate will befall in their lightweight title unification fight.

In an, the two-division champion said: “I don’t have anything to say to him.

“I just want him to show up in a fight and I’m gonna do the rest.

“He’s been saying something that he’s gonna teach me a lesson and all that. I’ve heard that so many times.

“Especially in my last four fights, they’ve all been saying the same thing. ‘I’m going to teach him a lesson.’


“‘He’s too cocky his days and then he’s that.’ Listen, guy, we are gonna share the same octagon.

“If you think I’m wrong, prove me wrong.

“But guess what? I’m sure that you are not gonna prove me wrong, because I’m not wrong.”