Justin Gaethje outlines the mistake Ilia Topuria's past opponents made, his key to win at UFC Freedom 250

Justin Gaethje has put forth his analysis of what he believes are significant errors that some of Ilia Topuria's past opponents made against the latter. 

Additionally, Gaethje opened up about his key to victory against Topuria in their upcoming showdown. 

Justin Gaethje outlines the supposed mistakes Ilia Topuria's previous opponents made against him

During a recent conversation with UFC commentator and correspondent Jon Anik on the UFC on Paramount YouTube channel, former BMF champion and reigning interim UFC lightweight titleholder Justin Gaethje acknowledged the tough challenge he's up against. 

On that note, Gaethje harked back to Ilia Topuria's knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira -- all three coming in consecutive fights. "The Highlight" suggested that a fighter who could pull off something like that is surely special. Nevertheless, he pointed out the mistakes, which he feels they made, against "El Matador." 

Gaethje stated, "You know all those guys were compromised by position. And he (Topuria) is very good at putting you into bad positions." 

The 37-year-old explained that he's now focused on staying in good positions, in addition to being reactive and not retracting. The two-time interim UFC lightweight titlist affirmed that he's going to fight the perfect fight and "throw missiles" at Topuria. 

Furthermore, Jon Anik alluded to the pitfalls that ensnared Volkanovski, Holloway, and Oliveira against Topuria. Upon being asked about what an opponent ought to avoid against the Georgian-Spaniard fighter, Gaethje responded by saying that the key to beating him is position. 

Gaethje said, "It's obviously position. It's position. Like I said earlier, they got compromised. They got put on the back foot. They got put on their heels on his second shot when he was in the middle of a five-punch combination. That's something that I cannot do."

The veteran American fighter continued, "I will move forward in this fight. I've told you before. You said it during my last fight. I do believe that you have to move forward. And if that puts me into more dangerous positions, then I have to do that, still. And this is how I will fight this fight." 

 

Watch Justin Gaethje discuss the topic below (*comments at the 2:47 and 6:44-minute marks of the video): 

Justin Gaethje has faced two of Ilia Topuria's three recent opponents

Justin Gaethje has received two shots at the undisputed UFC lightweight belt in his career thus far, failing to win it on both occasions. His first saw him get submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020. His second witnessed him lose, again by submission, against Charles Oliveira in 2022. 

Incidentally, Gaethje has fought two of the three most recent fighters whom Ilia Topuria has faced -- namely Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway. As noted, Gaethje was beaten by Oliveira back in 2022. Also, he fell via fifth-round KO against Max Holloway in their BMF title fight in 2024. 

As of this time, interim UFC lightweight champ Gaethje is booked to take on UFC lightweight champion Topuria in a title unifier, which will headline UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on Sunday, June 14, 2026.