Topuria: From KO to redemption in the UFC
Gaethje's KO does not end Topuria's career; begins his redemption. We analyze the setback and his future in the UFC.
Ilia Topuria touched the ground for the first time in his professional career, succumbing to Justin Gaethje by technical KO in the fourth round of UFC 304 in Manchester. The fight, a war of attrition, went awry when an accidental blow swollen 'El Matador's' eye, blinding him and allowing Gaethje, with 78% accuracy on significant strikes, to execute his tactical plan. The referee stopped the fight after a barrage of unanswered blows, leaving Topuria's record at 15-2 and breaking their 12-win streak in the organization.
FightMetric statistics reveal that although Topuria landed 55% of his punches initially, his effectiveness dropped to 30% in the fatal round due to the eye injury. The defeat exposes a tactical vulnerability that analysts had noted: the critical reliance on peripheral vision for Topuria's elusive style. Gaethje, far from limiting himself to being a mere puncher, executed a relentless octagon cutting plan.
