Conor McGregor has first-hand experience of suffering a big upset loss in the UFC.
Like McGregor, Ilia Topuria started off his UFC run undefeated and emerged into one of the sport’s most popular stars. Topuria took things a step further by becoming the first undefeated dual-champion in UFC history, and was a massive favorite going into Saturday’s lightweight title-unification bout against Justin Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) at UFC Freedom 250 from the White House in Washington.
Advertisement
Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) wound up suffering a doctor’s stoppage TKO at the end of Round 4 after being battered and bloodied throughout the fight. McGregor, whose first UFC loss came in a submission to underdog Nate Diaz at UFC 196, reacted to Topuria’s loss.
“He quit himself. Sad to see. He earned a nice stripe however tainted, he will get stronger from this beating. What a sport!”
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) returns from a five-year long layoff in a rematch against Max Holloway (27-9 MMA, 23-9 UFC) at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+). With Holloway face planting Gaethje in a dominant knockout win at UFC 300, McGregor is excited for the opportunity to re-make his mark.
“Holloway flatlined Justin. Face down, out cold. It is a glorious time to be in the McGregor fight business!”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Conor McGregor: Ilia Topuria ‘quit’ vs. Gaethje, but will get stronger
