Justin Gaethje reacts to Ilia Topuria ‘emotional’ beef with Josh Hokit: ‘You can’t let another man control you like that’

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 08: (L-R) Opponents Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje face off during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Justin Gaethje had a good time at the first UFC White House press conference.

Next month, Gaethje challenges Ilia Topuria for the undisputed lightweight title in the main event of UFC White House. This past weekend, all the fighters competing at the UFC White House card took part in a preliminary press conference for the event, ahead of UFC 328. Things were mostly dull at the presser until Josh Hokit, who fights Derrick Lewis at the event, started trash-talking Pereira. Topuria, who was seated next to Pereira, finally had enough of Hokit’s antics, and the two nearly had a physical altercation until security intervened.

Gaethje, who was sitting away from the whole thing, thinks it was a bad look for his future opponent.

“It’s funny because he’s very emotional,” Gaethje said in a video on his YouTube channel. “That was good to see. He got emotional. Although I do get emotional defending my friends, as well. But you can’t let another man control you like that! Never.”

Emotional or not, Topuria presents a serious challenge for Gaethje, in what is likely his final chance to claim undisputed UFC gold. Topuria is undefeated in MMA and the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and as such, he’s a huge betting favorite over Gaethje for their title fight. But representing the United States in celebration of the 250th anniversary of its independence, Gaethje is confident in his ability to author the upset.

“July 4, 1776, we had to be at least 50-to-1 dogs,“ Gaethje said. ”So 5-to-1? I feel lucky being only 5-to-1. And we’ve been f*cking thriving since. So, I’m here to write the same story.”