UFC star enraged by brutal snub ahead of Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira fight
The UFC stars are set to clash for the vacant lightweight title next month in Las Vegas, but one fighter has been left enraged after being brutally snubbed
UFC commentator Jon Anik has revealed that lightweight star Justin Gaethje was "p****d" after Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira was announced.
The fight is scheduled for June 28 at UFC 317, following Islam Makhachev's decision to vacate the title and move up to welterweight, eyeing an immediate title shot against new king Jack Della Maddalena later in the year.
After giving up the featherweight belt earlier this year, Topuria is now jumping straight into another title fight as he aims to become a two-division champion. While fans are buzzing over the bout, Gaethje feels snubbed, believing he should have been competing for gold next month.
"He was p****d," Anik said on The Anik and Florian Podcast. "He feels like certainly he was passed over in favour of Charles Oliveira for this opportunity against Ilia Topuria. I think what Justin Gaethje and his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, are looking for is just some sort of guarantee that they will be next. Because it's 19 May, and the good news for this Topuria-Oliveira fight is that it's f******g 28 June – it's less than six weeks away.
"So, I don't think it's a mad request for Justin, having done what he did against Rafael Fiziev: staying on the fight card, not fighting Dan Hooker, getting a win, distance from the UFC 300 result." Anik was referring to Gaethje's victory over Fiziev earlier this year - a bout that saw the 'Highlight' compete following Dan Hooker's withdrawal. The American returned to winning ways after a crushing last-minute knockout loss to Max Holloway.
"And by the way, he fought [Holloway] at UFC 300 to help the UFC," Anik added. "He could have fought for the undisputed championship at that point in time, so I wouldn't be surprised if Gaethje gets some sort of guarantee that he's next for the Topuria-Oliveira winner. But I can just tell you Justin was not thrilled."
With only weeks remaining until the lightweight title fight, Topuria recently stunned the MMA world when it emerged that he has parted ways with his lifelong coaches, Agustin and Jorge Climent. With the 28-year-old deep into his training camp, the news comes as a real shock.
The two brothers run Climent Club in Alicante, Spain, where 'El Matador' and his brother Aleksandre Topuria have trained since the start of their MMA careers. After clinching the featherweight title last year, Topuria decided to relocate to Madrid from Alicante. The switch has reportedly caused a split in his training regime. "Both sides live in different cities, and their multiple professional projects prevent them from collaborating as they once did," according to the MARCA report.
Topuria expressed gratitude towards his lifelong mentors, stating: "We thank them for all these years of mutual learning and growth, and they wholeheartedly wish them all the best in all their projects." With a bout against the Brazilian around the corner, Topuria's team is now expected to consist of his brother Aleksandre, Jesus Gallo, Javi Climent – who is not related to the Climent brothers – Mani Tavanaei, and Mathias Ribeiro.
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