A UFC lightweight contender doesn’t want to see Justin Gaethje fight Ilia Topuria.
This past weekend, ‘The Highlight’ played spoiler and ruined Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, and the UFC’s plans by reclaiming the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324 after a firefight with ‘The Baddy.’
Although Gaethje put on a brilliant striking masterclass against Pimblett, the fight was criticized for being a ‘dog fight’ rather than a technical showcase.
Leaving the critics aside, Gaethje, at the age of 37, became the first-ever two-time interim champion in UFC history and now, at the tail end of his career, has another chance to claim the undisputed 155-pound title before hanging up the gloves.
‘The Highlight’ will meet Ilia Topuria later this year to unify the titles when the latter returns from his hiatus. Both fighters have shown interest in fighting on June 14, when the promotion heads to the South Lawn of the White House. The Georgian-Spaniard has already warned his next opponent via X:
Justin, all I can say is congratulations… And I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what.”
Check out Ilia Topuria’s comments below:
Justin Gaethje’s former opponent, Rafael Fiziev, thinks ‘The Highlight’ should not fight Ilia Topuria
Rafael Fiziev has shared the octagon with ‘The Highlight’ twice and has been on the losing end both times.
‘Ataman’ will enter the octagon this weekend at UFC 325 against Mauricio Ruffy. On fight week, Fiziev gave his two cents on why he does not want to see Justin Gaethje fight Ilia Topuria.
Like many UFC fans and veterans, Fiziev does not want Justin Gaethje to suffer the same fate as Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski against ‘El Matador.’
The Azerbaijani fighter confessed that 37-year-old Justin Gaethje, fighting Ilia Topuria, and trading in the pocket with a young sniper, is never a good idea. He said:
I don’t want this fight [Topuria vs. Gaethje], honestly, because he [Gaethje] is almost 38 years old now, and he [did not look great at UFC 324 against Paddy Pimblett]. And fight against Ilia on standup, no wrestling, just boxing, that’s dangerous for him, very dangerous. And Ilia, he can turn off the lights very easily… For Justin, I honestly don’t want to see this fight.”
Check out Rafael Fiziev’s comments below:
Besides Fiziev, Dan Hooker has also expressed that he does not want to see Topuria vs. Gaethje come to fruition, as fans already know how that bout will play out. Instead, Hooker wants the UFC brass to make Topuria defend his title against top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
Hooker believes that although ‘El Matador’ currently looks unbeatable, all it takes is time to crack the chin. ‘The Hangman’ hence feels Ilia Topuria will eventually get clipped, no matter how good the Georgian-Spaniard looks right now.
