"That was a choice he made" - Alexander Volkanovski explains Ilia Topuria's key mistake against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250

× Alexander Volkanovski recently shared his thoughts on the Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria fight and outlined where the Georgian-Spanish fighter went wrong. Ad Topuria and Gaethje threw down in a lightweight title fight in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 last weekend.

Given Topuria's resume and record, many assumed he'd make light work of Gaethje and win comfortably. However, Gaethje shocked viewers with an all-time classic performance and put a thorough beating on Topuria over four rounds. Topuria's corner threw in the towel before the final round began, and 'The Highlight' got his hand raised via fourth-round knockout.

Ad Trending In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Volkanovski explained where Topuria went wrong. Blaming Topuria's aggressive and forward-paced approach for the outcome, he said: Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more "It was a bit of everything. You have to credit Gaethje for an unreal game plan.

He stayed very disciplined... I thought Ilia was very aggressive. I think he tried to rush everything very early, and that's why he took damage pretty early.

Even though he had success in the earlier rounds, that damage was already accumulating." Ad He added: "He started getting a little busted up straight away. The jab was landing on Gaethje...

He definitely could have pulled that off, but if you don't, it's a rough fight. You will run into shots, run into punches, and you will gas. That's sort of what happened.

It was a risk that Ilia took. That was a choice he made. It could have paid off for him."

[H/t: Yahoo! Sports] Ad Watch the full interview below: Ad Alexander Volkanovski predicts potential Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria rematch In the same interview, Alexander Volkanovski previewed a potential Justin Gaethje vs.

Ilia Topuria rematch. The reigning UFC featherweight champion claimed that Topuria would win the rematch if he learned from his mistakes and said: "If he fights the right fight, he will learn a lot from that. Ilia wins the rematch.

That's no knock on Justin at all. Obviously, Ilia was a favorite for a reason." Ad He added:"I just think that Ilia, if he doesn't rush as much, fights at a little bit better distance, and then does what he usually does, sets up nice traps, he'll eventually find him.

But being so aggressive is sort of what cost him, I believe." × Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Recommended Video MMA vs.

Boxing: The Ultimate Showdown! Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Nishant Zende. Alexander Volkanovski recently shared his thoughts on the Justin Gaethje vs.

Ilia Topuria fight and outlined where the Georgian-Spanish fighter went wrong. Ad Topuria and Gaethje threw down in a lightweight title fight in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 last weekend. Given Topuria's resume and record, many assumed he'd make light work of Gaethje and win comfortably.

However, Gaethje shocked viewers with an all-time classic performance and put a thorough beating on Topuria over four rounds. Topuria's corner threw in the towel before the final round began, and 'The Highlight' got his hand raised via fourth-round knockout. Ad Trending In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Volkanovski explained where Topuria went wrong.

Blaming Topuria's aggressive and forward-paced approach for the outcome, he said: Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more "It was a bit of everything. You have to credit Gaethje for an unreal game plan. He stayed very disciplined...

I thought Ilia was very aggressive. I think he tried to rush everything very early, and that's why he took damage pretty early. Even though he had success in the earlier rounds, that damage was already accumulating."

Ad He added: "He started getting a little busted up straight away. The jab was landing on Gaethje... He definitely could have pulled that off, but if you don't, it's a rough fight.

You will run into shots, run into punches, and you will gas. That's sort of what happened. It was a risk that Ilia took.

That was a choice he made. It could have paid off for him." [H/t: Yahoo!

Sports] Ad Watch the full interview below: Ad Alexander Volkanovski predicts potential Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria rematch In the same interview, Alexander Volkanovski previewed a potential Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria rematch.

The reigning UFC featherweight champion claimed that Topuria would win the rematch if he learned from his mistakes and said: "If he fights the right fight, he will learn a lot from that. Ilia wins the rematch. That's no knock on Justin at all.

Obviously, Ilia was a favorite for a reason." Ad He added:"I just think that Ilia, if he doesn't rush as much, fights at a little bit better distance, and then does what he usually does, sets up nice traps, he'll eventually find him. But being so aggressive is sort of what cost him, I believe."

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