UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria has delivered a stark warning to his upcoming challenger, Justin Gaethje. The highly anticipated lightweight title unification bout between Topuria and Gaethje is set to headline the UFC Freedom 250 event on June 14th.
Topuria boldly predicted a first-round knockout victory over Gaethje, aiming to send ‘The Highlight’ to the ‘shadow realm’ in what will be the main event at the White House. Speaking in a recent interview, the Georgian-Spanish fighter noted that Gaethje typically engages in aggressive stand-up exchanges, preferring to trade blows rather than retreating after landing a strike. Topuria warned that such an approach would be a grave mistake against him, forecasting an early finish for the 37-year-old.
Topuria suggested that the two-time interim lightweight champion, Gaethje, would meet a similar fate to Charles Oliveira did at UFC 317. He elaborated on his view:
“Now with Justin Gaethje, everyone’s saying this is a super easy fight, he’s going to get knocked out real fast. But they are forgetting that Justin Gaethje is a very tough guy with a ton of experience. It’s a tough fight, but [smiles] at the same time, like we always say, there are levels to this. Everyone has their moment, and I feel like this is my moment, and the victory is mine.”
The 29-year-old fighter further explained his prediction:
“Based on his fighting style, how he comes out in every fight, I see it ending quickly, honestly. I see it similar to the Charles Oliveira fight because I don’t see him as someone who’s going to trade and then back up or fight while moving backward. I think he’s the kind of guy who offers a fight, and when you’re doing that, I think you’re making a mistake. Especially when you’re fighting someone like me who has so much technique. Yes, I think it’s going to be in the first round.”
Ilia Topuria’s Message for Donald Trump
In a light-hearted moment during an interview, Ilia Topuria jokingly advised former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is expected to attend the event on June 14th at the White House’s South Lawn, to ensure his hair is neatly combed and to ‘not blink’ because he intends to finish Justin Gaethje very swiftly.
“Don’t blink and come with your hair neatly combed… because it’s going to be quick.”
