Edgar On Topuria's Weakness After Gaethje Loss

Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar says Justin Gaethje exposed a critical flaw in Ilia Topuria when he stopped the previously unbeaten champion at UFC Freedom 250 in June.

Gaethje forced Topuria to retire on his stool between rounds, ending the featherweight champion's undefeated run in a shock result that few predicted. Edgar, who watched the fight alongside Eddie Alvarez at a viewing party, told Bowks Talking Bouts he picked Gaethje to win but did not expect the manner of the finish.

Edgar Says Topuria Can't Fight Going Backwards

According to BJ Penn.com, Edgar identified Topuria's struggles when forced to operate defensively. "Fighting on his back foot, he's just not very good at it," Edgar said. "[Topuria] is just not used to not being in the driver's seat." Edgar credited Gaethje's jab for hurting Topuria early, whether through the cut near his eye or damage to his nose, and said the injury threw the featherweight champion off his game.

Edgar, who recently defeated Clay Guida at Real American Freestyle 11, called Gaethje's performance typical of the new champion's approach. "That was a straight-up Justin Gaethje fight. Nothing but guts and heart and get it done," he said. The former 155-pound titleholder added that Gaethje deserved the belt after multiple previous attempts at lineal gold.

Gaethje's third bid for UFC gold succeeded where two prior challenges had failed. Topuria has not announced his next move following the stoppage loss.

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• BJPenn — Justin Gaethje showed Ilia Topuria’s big weakness, says ex-UFC lightweight champ