Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Justin Gaethje during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Justin Gaethje Gives His Thoughts On Ilia Topuria’s Chances At Lightweight

Justin Gaethje shares his opinion on Ilia Topuria's potential in the lightweight division and his future in the UFC!

Apr 13, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Justin Gaethje during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The UFC lightweight division has always been a shark tank. From legends like BJ Penn to current champion Islam Makhachev, the 155-pound weight class never lacks excitement. Fighters battle through a gauntlet of killers just to sniff title contention. Now, a new predator circles these waters – featherweight champion Ilia Topuria wants in, and he is making waves.

Few fighters earn their nicknames as honestly as Justin Gaethje. The former interim lightweight champion built his reputation through breathtaking violence and edge-of-your-seat brawls. His “kill or be killed” approach makes him a fan favorite. When Gaethje speaks about fighting, smart people listen. That is why his recent comments about Topuria carry weight.

Also Read: Beneil Dariush Ready To Welcome New Lightweight To The Division!

Justin Gaethje Makes His Thoughts Known

Speaking with Shak MMA, Gaethje didn’t mince words about Topuria’s chances at lightweight. The Arizona native reminded everyone that Max Holloway, another featherweight, knocked him out cold at UFC 300. It seems the days of dismissing lighter fighters are over in Gaethje’s mind.

“Yeah, I mean it. There’s just no way to say. I think, uh, I think him being a featherweight coming up to lightweight is not a factor. I think we saw that with Max Holloway. The only guy to put me to sleep was a featherweight so that f**king don’t work.”

Gaethje’s respect for Topuria goes deeper than just acknowledging his power. He pointed to the Georgian-Spanish fighter’s unwavering confidence as a dangerous weapon. Indeed, Topuria’s self-belief borders on prophecy. He predicted exactly how he would beat Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298, then delivered. The same happened when he faced Max Holloway. When a fighter believes he’s unbeatable, sometimes he becomes just that.

What Is Next For The Lightweight Title?

The lightweight title picture remains complex with several hungry contenders. Gaethje himself aims to jump back into contention if he beats Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. Interestingly, he sees timing as the crucial factor in who gets the next shot at Makhachev.

“Timing is everything in this sport. I go in there and get a finish with an outstanding performance like I always do, I think I’ll be one of the guys that they consider to fight Makhachev.”

Islam Makhachev wants Topuria to earn his lightweight shot first. The champion doesn’t welcome the idea of a featherweight skipping the line. This creates an intriguing dynamic where Gaethje and Topuria might end up competing for the same opportunity. Two of the most exciting finishers in the sport, both chasing Makhachev’s crown from different angles. The fans win either way.

Topuria’s fearless attitude has carried him to a perfect 15-0 record. His knockout power traveled well from featherweight to lightweight in previous fights. But facing the elite of 155 pounds presents unique challenges. Wrestlers like Makhachev bring a different puzzle than what Topuria faced at featherweight. Still, as Justin Gaethje wisely pointed out, “Styles make matchups.” Sometimes the unexpected happens when styles collide!

(Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images)

Ilia Topuria

Justin Gaethje

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!