Ilia Topuria, the current UFC lightweight champion, is reportedly making his sparring partners endure incredibly tough training sessions as he prepares for his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje. The highly anticipated bout is scheduled for June 14th, headlining UFC 250.
Recent footage shared online shows Topuria going all out during his training. In a YouTube video posted on his channel, Topuria’s training partners opened up about the intensity of sparring with “El Matador.” They described experiencing “very strong punches” from the 29-year-old champion, with one partner vividly detailing the impact: “Sparring with Ilia is crazy. We had the opportunity to feel the power of his fist. My liver is fu*ked up after the session. It’s an amazing experience, and I think it will level up our skills to the maximum.”
These same training partners are predicting a swift victory for Topuria against Justin Gaethje, forecasting a first-round finish on June 14th. They elaborated, stating, “All the time I felt the pressure from Ilia, I think he finishes [Gaethje] in the first round.”
Arman Tsarukyan Discusses the Disappointment of Being a Backup Fighter
In other related news, top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has been named the official backup fighter for the UFC 250 main event. While he is preparing and on a diet in case he is needed, Tsarukyan expressed his frustration with the role. Speaking on the JAXXON Podcast, he admitted, “I’m excited. If something happens, they’d call me, and I’m getting ready for that. I’m already on my diet, and it always sucks to be a backup, but I have to do it.” Despite the disappointment, being a backup could still position him for a future title shot.
