Justin Gaethje expresses support for Ilia Topuria, while coach Trevor Wittman advises the former UFC champion

Justin Gaethje and Trevor Wittman have addressed former two-division UFC champion Ilia Topuria's first MMA defeat, which happened to come at the hands of Gaethje. 

On one hand, Gaethje displayed his support for Topuria, asserting that the Georgian-Spaniard fighter is capable of defeating anyone in the lightweight division. 

On the other hand, Gaethje's longtime head coach Trevor Wittman expressed his respect for what Topuria has achieved in the sport.

Nevertheless, Wittman emphasized that "El Matador" doesn't deserve an immediate title rematch against Gaethje. He also put forth some advice for the former champion. 

Justin Gaethje finds himself pursued by lightweight elites, while an immediate rematch against Ilia Topuria seems unlikely

Ex-BMF champion and two-time interim UFC lightweight titlist Justin Gaethje sent shockwaves across the mixed martial arts world by becoming the first fighter to beat former UFC featherweight and lightweight champ Ilia Topuria. 

Gaethje ended Topuria's lightweight title reign by stopping him via fourth-round TKO after a back-and-forth war at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. Topuria suffered considerable facial damage in that fight.

It, in turn, has led many to speculate that an immediate title rematch between them may be unlikely and that Gaethje could defend his UFC lightweight title against another contender instead.

Speaking of which, fighters like Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan have been lobbying for a title shot against Gaethje since his championship victory. 

Justin Gaethje shows support for Ilia Topuria; his MMA coach Trevor Wittman imparts advice to "El Matador"

On episode No. 17 of the What Hones You Show podcast, on the Trevor Wittman-founded ONX Sports' YouTube channel, his star pupil Justin Gaethje and Wittman himself appeared to acknowledge that Ilia Topuria is a skilled competitor. 

Additionally, ex-UFC welterweight champion and current middleweight contender Kamaru Usman -- who's Gaethje's training partner -- echoed similar sentiments.

Gaethje, for his part, implied that he doesn't hold ill will toward his archrival, Topuria, their intense rivalry notwithstanding. The veteran American fighter showed his support for his younger rival and stated: 

"I hope nothing but the best for him. He's very, very skilled. He's got the skills to beat any of these guys. I'm excited to watch it." 

Furthermore, Wittman reiterated his and Gaethje's stance that Topuria doesn't deserve an immediate rematch against him. Claiming that a fighter's biggest opponent is oneself, Wittman gave Topuria the following advice: 

"And I feel like Ilia made that mistake. Do I think he comes out better in the rematch? I'm not even gonna say that because I don't think he deserves that." 

Wittman added, "I think he needs to go back, get on a win spree, and recover himself because that was a detrimental loss -- not because of the way he lost; it's the damage that was done." 

Also, Wittman seemed to suggest that Topuria would have to internalize what he experienced and then bring it out. 

Watch Gaethje and Wittman discuss Ilia Topuria and more below (*comments at the 12:00 and 20:00-minute marks of the video):