UFC White House fighter teases Donald Trump with question about ‘friend’ in Oval Office

Ilia Topuria teased US president Donald Trump on Wednesday, as the UFC champion and fellow athletes from the upcoming White House fight card visited the Oval Office. On 14 June, the UFC will stage an unprecedented event at the White House , as lightweight king Topuria headlines against Justin Gaethje after Alex Pereira fights Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight belt . Ahead of that celebration of 250 years of the United States, which coincides with Mr Trump’s 80th birthday, the afore-mentioned fighters faced off on the South Lawn and entered the Oval Office.

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (left) and his opponent Justin Gaethje (right) with US president Donald Trump (Getty) “A friend of mine, Justin Gaethje , he loves his country so much,” Mr Trump said, before Topuria asked the president: “Why did you want to give the toughest test to a friend of yours? You said he’s a friend of yours; why did you want to give him the hardest test? ” “Because he knows that’s what I want,” Gaethje cut in, before Mr Trump replied: “I do want to give the hardest test, is right, we’re gonna give the hardest test.

“And actually, each one of you are fighting your hardest test, I think, right? How do you think you’ll do? You know your opponent very well, [he’s] very tough.

” “I know, a very tough opponent,” said Topuria. “[I feel] very good. I have complete faith.