Justin Gaethje is coming for undisputed gold in the nation’s capital.
Kicking off the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Paramount+ era last month, Gaethje once again claimed the interim lightweight title, besting Paddy Pimblett via a brilliant five-round performance at UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
With the win, Gaethje is all but guaranteed a crack at Ilia Topuria, the promotion’s current 155-pound king. When and where that clash takes place is yet to be announced, but if ‘The Highlight’ gets his wish, it’ll happen this summer when Dana White and Co. invade the south lawn of the White House.
“See you in June at the White House,” Gaethje told Helen Yee. “Let’s go. I hope I fight in June and get a win versus Ilia, and then we’ll see from there. Does it matter if it’s a knockout, decision? No, of course. I’m always trying to knock everybody out. But I just will fight my best and hardest.”
It’ll be another tough test for Gaethje as Topuria has yet to suffer defeat in his mixed martial arts career. But if he can pull it off, Gaethje will finally etch his name in the history books and as an undisputed UFC champion — something he’s failed to do in two prior attempts.
Previously, Gaethje met Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira in undisputed title tilts between 2020 and 2022, but was ultimately submitted by ‘Do Bronx’ and ‘The Eagle’ in both bouts.
As for Topuria, the two-division titleholder has yet to announce a return date since taking some time away from the Octagon to deal with personal matters.
