Arman Tsarukyan rips Ilia Topuria’s Justin Gaethje glove claim: ‘Just excuses’

Arman Tsarukyan has dismissed Ilia Topuria's claims about Justin Gaethje's gloves following the champion's shocking defeat at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Gaethje, a significant underdog, pulled off a historic upset by forcing Topuria's corner to stop the fight before the fifth round. Topuria sustained severe facial damage and compromised vision throughout the bout, particularly after surviving a brutal second round. In the aftermath, Topuria suggested Gaethje wore unusual gloves, but Tsarukyan—the top-ranked lightweight contender—rejected those assertions as excuses. "Just excuses," Tsarukyan told reporter Carlos Contreras Legaspi, emphasizing that Topuria should accept the loss and analyse his own mistakes rather than blame equipment. He noted that the commission cleared Gaethje's gloves and that fighters must take responsibility for their performance. Gaethje has built a reputation for devastating striking power, with numerous elite lightweights, including Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, acknowledging his capacity for damage. Tsarukyan's comments reflect a broader sentiment in combat sports: accountability matters more than looking for external explanations for defeats.