Justin Gaethje outlines his keys to victory against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250

Justin Gaethje is up against Ilia Topuria, whom many have hailed as one of the most skilled and dangerous fighters in the current MMA landscape. While some fans and experts believe the 37-year-old Gaethje is unlikely to beat the undefeated 29-year-old Topuria, the veteran fighter begs to differ. 

For his part, Gaethje has now shed light on a few key factors, which he believes would help him defeat Topuria and earn his maiden undisputed UFC title. 

Justin Gaethje has highlighted his keys to defeating Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250

During a recent conversation with Grind City Media's John Morgan on the Cageside with John Morgan podcast, Justin Gaethje acknowledged that Ilia Topuria is very good. Indicating that everyone has a different style of fighting, he opined that his Georgian-Spaniard opponent has a boxing-centric style of combat. He stated, "His, specifically, is more of a boxing style when it comes to range, and space, and timing, and the way he, you know, his position." 

Gaethje pointed out that his opponent is shorter than him, adding that you don't want your head to be way too high than these dangerous opponents who are throwing "missiles" at you, seemingly alluding to Topuria's vaunted KO power. 

"The Highlight" expounded upon his keys to victory, saying, "I mean, position is going to be the biggest factor in this fight. I have to be so stubborn with my position. I have to control space. I have to control his feet. And I really have to be diligent in my defense." 

The ex-interim UFC lightweight champion asserted that he constantly has to win the battles of angle and distance in the upcoming showdown. 

 

Watch Gaethje discuss the topic below (*comments at the 7:12-minute mark):

 

Justin Gaethje gets his third shot at the undisputed UFC lightweight title

Justin Gaethje won the interim UFC lightweight belt by besting Tony Ferguson via fifth-round TKO in the first half of 2020. In the latter half of the same year, he faced then-undisputed 155-pound kingpin Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unifier and lost via submission.

Gaethje subsequently received his second shot at the undisputed belt when he faced then-champion Charles Oliveira in 2022. "Do Bronx" missed weight heading into the fight and was stripped of his title, so only Gaethje was eligible to win it. Nevertheless, their fight saw Oliveira beat him via submission. 

The American eventually won the symbolic BMF title in 2023 and lost it in 2024. Moreover, he once again won the interim UFC lightweight belt by outpointing Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett earlier this year. Currently, Gaethje is set to face reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S.A., on June 14, 2026.