Zuffa LLC

Justin Gaethje insists he isn’t bothered by Ilia Topuria’s cheating claim.

Gaethje stopped Topuria to become the undisputed UFC lightweight titleholder back in June. Topuria was battered to the point where he failed to get off his stool for the final round of the UFC Freedom 250 main event on the White House lawn.

Recently, Topuria accused Gaethje of loading his gloves prior to the fight. Appearing on “One Night with Steiny,” Gaethje said he thinks Topuria’s comments boils down to how engagement works these days (via MMAFighting).

“Not really,” Gaethje said. “He’s part of your era. You guys say weird shit for fun, dude. … I think the internet’s crazy, man. It’s clickbait, engagement, we’re farming out here. We’re farming for interactions. That’s what we’re doing. More interactions, more eyeballs, more opportunity. … That’s the game. I don’t like the game but I’m going to have to play the game. I’m going to try and be me when I do it.”

Gaethje also downplayed the notion that Topuria chose to quit on his stool at the conclusion of their aforementioned title fight.

“He didn’t quit on the stool,” Gaethje said. “His body was too compromised to continue fighting. He didn’t make the call, his coaches made the call because they’re there to protect him. My coaches are in my corner to protect me in those times.”

While Topuria is hoping for a rematch, Arman Tsarukyan is the general consensus No. 1 contender. Tsarukyan is fresh off a first-round knockout win over Mauricio Ruffy on the UFC 331 card on Sept. 19. Gaethje believes that Tsarukyan has clearly solidified himself as the rightful contender. Whether or not Gaethje vs. Tsarukyan is indeed the plan for 2027 remains to be seen.

Do you think Ilia Topuria’s loaded gloves claim was made to garner attention, or is it sour grapes? Join in on the conversation in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM