Conor McGregor has shared his honest take on Ilia Topuria’s recent loss to Justin Gaethje, pointing to mistakes he believes cost the former champion dearly. Speaking during his appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, McGregor said he expected trouble for Topuria because of the way he approached the fight from the opening bell. While he praised Topuria’s talent, he also questioned parts of his overall game and spoke about the physical and mental battle that follows such a damaging defeat.
Conor McGregor explains why he believed Ilia Topuria was vulnerable against Justin Gaethje
Looking back at the fight, McGregor said the warning signs were there from the start. He felt Topuria was taking unnecessary risks by moving forward with his hands down and giving Gaethje opportunities to land clean shots.
“I knew that was gonna happen to him. You need to get it put on you in the gym. He’s walking forward with the hands down on the opening bell, you’re gonna get walloped.”
McGregor also said Topuria’s movement remains an area that needs improvement.
“He’s a bit flat footed, he’s not a full complete fighter. But he’s good.”
The former UFC two-division champion made it clear that his comments were not meant to dismiss Topuria’s ability. Instead, he viewed them as lessons that become clear after a fighter faces a difficult night inside the cage.
Conor McGregor opens up about the damage Ilia Topuria suffered in defeat
A major part of McGregor’s reaction focused on the punishment Topuria absorbed during the fight. He said the visible damage could make the recovery process especially challenging.
“His face will have to heal, it’s smashed up.”
McGregor then compared the situation to his own career, noting that he has rarely experienced that level of physical damage inside the octagon.
“I’ve not been there before, I’ve only bled my blood once inside the octagon. He’s got banged up bad.”
His comments highlighted just how tough the aftermath of a loss can be, especially when a fighter leaves with significant injuries.
Conor McGregor believes Ilia Topuria can recover from the setback
Despite his criticism, McGregor believes Topuria has the tools to come back stronger. He described the emotional side of the loss as the biggest challenge ahead.
“It’s gonna be a dark place that he’s in right now. He’s gonna have to dig deep. Can he do it? I think he could.”
During the interview with Ariel Helwani, McGregor repeatedly stressed the importance of preparation in the gym and learning from setbacks. While he pointed out flaws in Topuria’s performance, he also expressed confidence that the former champion can rebuild and return if he uses this experience as motivation.
