Ilia Topuria highlights what separates legends from world champions, talks UFC Freedom 250 fight against Justin Gaethje

The undefeated Ilia Topuria is considered by many to be one of the most dominant fighters to have ever graced the UFC's famed octagon. The Georgian-Spaniard fighter is a former UFC featherweight champion and the reigning UFC lightweight champion. 

At just 29 years of age, he's notched spectacular victories over a number of fellow MMA greats. One of the rare fighters to have achieved double-champion status in the UFC, Topuria has now explained how one ascends that level and becomes a legend. 

Ilia Topuria's views on what separates legends from world champions

Presently, Ilia Topuria is booked to take on ex-BMF titleholder and reigning interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Topuria and his American opponent will headline the star-studded UFC Freedom 250 fight card at the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 14. 

The UFC's official YouTube channel has put forth the UFC Freedom 250 Countdown episode. A few days ago, the UFC on Paramount X handle posted promo footage for the upcoming lightweight title unifier, which featured Topuria walking up to an altar of some of his vanquished foes. It also comprised a framed photo of Gaethje, whom he's yet to fight. 

"El Matador" alluded to the Spanish bullfighting tradition wherein a victorious matador places a rose for the bull he's defeated. On that note, Topuria revealed that he has a special white rose for Gaethje because they're fighting at the White House. 

Well, the promo footage was similarly used in the UFC Countdown video. It showed Topuria harking back to his most recent wins -- knockouts of UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, ex-BMF and ex-UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway, and ex-UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. 

Topuria stated, "Being able to knock out Alexander Volkanovski, Max "Blessed" Holloway, Charles Oliveira -- legends in this sport that, for sure, they are going to join the Hall of Fame. To have that one, wow!"

Furthermore, emphasizing what he believes is the dichotomy between champions and legends, he said, "Now, the cherry on top. I'm gonna knock out Justin Gaethje in the White House. This is what makes the difference between legends and just world champions." 

 

Watch Ilia Topuria speak about his views on the supposed dichotomy between legends and world champions below (*comments at the 10:25-minute mark of the video): 

Ilia Topuria seeks domination in his title unification fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250

Ilia Topuria has consistently indicated that he doesn't look to merely win, but rather aims to do so in an utterly dominant fashion. Heading into the high-profile UFC Freedom 250 event, the 17-0 MMA star has reaffirmed that very stance. 

Around the 24:58-minute mark of the video, Topuria said, "I don't train to win. I train to dominate. I train to shine. I train to win in passion." 

Moreover, the consensus is that if Topuria manages to beat Justin Gaethje and unify the lightweight belts, he could move up in weight and attempt to dethrone UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.