Daniel Cormier says the White House setting played a direct role in Justin Gaethje pulling off the upset of the year against Ilia Topuria, arguing that the environment genuinely propelled the American fighter to his career-defining moment.
Cormier shared his view on his YouTube channel following Gaethje’s fourth-round corner stoppage victory at UFC Freedom 250.
“When we were talking about this thing and we were building this thing, I told Anik and Rogan, ‘I believe that a setting can propel people to great things.’ I’m not the type of person that does not think that the environment can play a part in the result of a fight. Tonight, I feel like that happened. Justin Gaethje always is a dog, but I think when you start to couple everything together, the birthday of the United States of America, the White House South Lawn, fighting an undefeated champion, it all worked perfectly.”
Cormier described the imagery of Gaethje’s entrance as genuinely moving.
“JG fought like a warrior, man. It was just a visual. Him walking past all the former presidents, American flag draped over his shoulders, it just gave you goosebumps.”