Credit: REUTERS
ILIA TOPURIA was rushed to the hospital after his brutal UFC White House defeat to Justin Gaethje.
The reign of ‘El Matador’ as lightweight king came to a bloody end at the hands of Gaethje in their presidential punch-up.
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Ilia Topuria’s reign as lightweight champion came to a bloody end at the hands of Justin Gaethje Credit: GETTY
‘El Matador’ suffered a fourth-round TKO loss to the American after his corner stopped the fight Credit: GETTY
Topuria was left so bloodied and disfigured by a relentless Gaethje that a member of his team called a halt to the contest between the fourth and fifth rounds
That was despite Topuria’s brother, Aleksandre, insisting they would finish the fight.
Topuria had to be carried by Aleksandre and team-mate Guram Kutateladze to a nearby golf buggy so he could could be transported to a different area of the White House grounds to receive more treatment.
And shortly afterwards, he was immediately transported to the hospital for more medical checks.
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UFC supremo Dana White told JattvibeSport and others of his hospital trip in the post-fight press conference.
Victory over Topuria saw Gaethje claim undisputed UFC gold at the THIRD TIME of asking.
And the fan favourite, who went into the unification bout aware that this was his last chance saloon, was overcome with emotion after getting his hands on the belt.
An elated Gaethje said: “I cannot even believe it.
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Ilia Topuria was helped out of the arena by his brother and team-mate Guram Kutateladze Credit: REUTERS
And he was transported to the hospital immediately after his initial medical checks Credit: REUTERS
“I knew I was going to have to get through the first round.
“His skills are unmatched when he’s fresh.
“[I knew] my durability, my tenacity, my heart will carry me through those first couple of rounds.
“And no one can outwork me in round three – especially the championship rounds four and five.”
Topuria, who entered his ill-fated maiden defence of the fight undefeated, has yet to speak on his crushing defeat to ‘The Highlight’.
