A former UFC champion has weighed in on the upcoming fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, anticipated to take place later this year as ‘El Matador’ makes his return to the octagon. The discussion centers on the crucial adjustments Gaethje must make in his fighting approach to stand a chance against Topuria.
Justin Gaethje, known as ‘The Highlight,’ captured the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 by decisively defeating Paddy Pimblett in a striking battle. Now, Gaethje aims to secure a spot on a major UFC event scheduled for June 14, aligning well with Topuria’s planned comeback between April and June. However, Gaethje’s recent grueling five-round fight with Pimblett means he will require significant time to recover before facing Topuria to unify the lightweight championship.
Insights from Former UFC Champion on Gaethje’s Upcoming Fight
Robert Whittaker, the former UFC middleweight champion, recently shared his perspective on what Gaethje needs to change to compete successfully against Ilia Topuria. Whittaker emphasizes that Gaethje cannot approach this matchup the same way he fought Paddy Pimblett, as Topuria presents a much more dangerous challenge.
Whittaker points out that Ilia Topuria’s right hand carries knockout power capable of ending fights swiftly. Therefore, Gaethje’s usual tactic of maintaining constant forward pressure will likely be ineffective and hazardous. Unlike his measured use of leg kicks against Pimblett, Gaethje’s reliance on close-range brawling could prove too risky in this contest.
On the MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker stated:
“Ilia’s string is leagues above everybody in the UFC, and the wrestling and jiu-jitsu are there. His timing, his instincts, his instinct to fire off, his counterattacks… It’s a hard fight [for Gaethje]. Things are gotta change in Gaethje’s camp to make the fight competitive. The Gaethje that fought Paddy won’t beat Ilia right now. But that’s not what I am saying, that we’ll see [the same version of] Gaethje when he fights Ilia. Maybe that was just the game plan for Paddy.”
Whittaker highlights that Topuria’s skills, timing, and counterattacks place him in a league above most UFC fighters, making this a particularly challenging matchup for Gaethje. The former champion insists that without tactical changes, Gaethje is unlikely to succeed against Topuria’s diverse skill set.
Gaethje’s Required Adjustments to Prevail Against Topuria
To compete for the undisputed lightweight championship in 2026, Gaethje must refine his fight strategy significantly. Effective range management and controlling the distance will be crucial, as reckless exchanges and aggressive forward pressure will expose him to Topuria’s powerful counters. Being more selective about when to engage during the fight may improve Gaethje’s chances.
Given Gaethje’s recent demanding battle with Pimblett, his recovery process will play an important role in his preparation for this upcoming challenge. Both fighters are preparing for a high-stakes encounter, and how Gaethje adapts his approach could determine the outcome of this highly anticipated bout.
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