Justin Gaethje explains why his face looked untouched after Ilia Topuria fight

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Justin Gaethje came through his bout with Ilia Topuria without taking too much damage, even though the featherweight landed some heavy shots.

The fight headlined last Sunday’s UFC card at the White House, unifying the lightweight titles in what was one of the sport’s most high-profile events.

Gaethje won by TKO and finally became the undisputed 155-pound champion, a title that had slipped through his grasp twice before.

Topuria took a lot of punishment and ended up retiring on his stool after four rounds. While he was visibly battered from the contest, Gaethje didn’t show nearly as much wear and tear.

In contrast, Gaethje finished the fight without a scratch, even though he took several clean shots during the contest. He controlled much of the later rounds but still absorbed his share of punishment.

Justin Gaethje explains why he looked so fresh after Ilia Topuria’s fight

Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Gaethje shared why his face often stays clear of visible damage, even in tough fights like this one.

“One word describes it all, and it’s timing,” Gaethje said. “The more you watch the sport, the more you can maybe grasp the concept of that. Creating angles but sending direct lines of energy in straight lines through their body and through their face.

“When you see my face, and it’s not messed up, you’re like, ‘Oh, something wrong with the skin.’ It’s really not that,” he continued. “If you watch frame by frame, I’m constantly dissipating the energy that (Topuria) is trying to send in straight lines, and they’re all coming off and glancing off my body.

“It’s like computers processing code, and you constantly make adjustments. I was able to reset his feet every 1-2 seconds. I fought a perfect fight.”

The most difficult moment for Gaethje during UFC 350 came in the second round when Topuria targeted his body. Several hard liver shots had him backing up before he managed to regain control.

The American overcame a brutal stretch of body shots that included a knockdown before rallying back as early as round three to retake momentum and gain control throughout much of rounds four and five until Topuria was pulled out by his corner at the end of round four.