Current and two-time interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has big plans. The American fighter wants to dethrone Ilia Topuria on June 14, when the promotion heads to the South Lawn of the White House.
‘The Highlight’ captured the interim title last month at UFC 324 by dismantling Paddy Pimblett and proving the oddsmakers wrong.
Now the 37-year-old will look to upgrade the status of his strap to undisputed by handing Topuria his first loss in MMA.
Many fans and analysts are already convinced Ilia Topuria will knock out Justin Gaethje just as he did to Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski. But Gaethje is confident he won’t be the one going to sleep, come fight night.
The 37-year-old wants to retire on a high note by mid-2027 after defending his title a couple of times, if he manages to dethrone the Georgian-Spaniard later this year.
Justin Gaethje wants to dethrone Ilia Topuria on June 14
In a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports, when asked about how he sees the rest of the year playing out, especially after starting on a high note by becoming the first UFC fighter to capture the interim title twice, ‘The Highlight’ added:
Let’s go. I hope I fight in June and get a win versus Ilia, and then we’ll see from there.”
Gaethje and Topuria have both shown interest in unifying the belts on June 14, and, according to rumors, ‘El Matador’ vs. ‘The Highlight’ could headline the UFC White House Event.
During the same interview, when Justin Gaethje was asked if he would prefer to knock Topuria out or opt to win by decision, he added:
No, of course. I’m always trying to knock everybody out. But I just will fight my best and hardest… See you in June [at the White House]. Let’s go.”
Check out Justin Gaethje’s comments below (6:15):
Justin Gaethje loves to trade in the pocket, and as fans, we most recently witnessed that once more at UFC 324 in his firefight with Paddy Pimblett.
However, against a sniper like Ilia Topuria, standing and banging is too risky. Hence, with the help of coach Trevor Wittman, a disciplined game plan needs to be chalked out.
The 37-year-old would need to rely heavily on leg kicks to keep the danger at bay, maintain his distance, and stay outside Topuria’s firing range for 25 minutes.
Perhaps ‘The Highlight’ might consider a patient approach similar to what current and two-time UFC featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski used in his last two bouts.
