Ilia Topuria Predicts First-Round Finish Over Justin Gaethje at Historic White House UFC Card

Ilia Topuria opened up about his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. The historic event will take place on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, June 14.

Topuria vs. Gaethje, a lightweight title unification bout, will headline the historic event. 

‘El Matador’ will make his first title defense since knocking out Charles Oliveira to capture the vacant title last year. 

The reigning UFC lightweight champion, never shy about sharing a prediction, believes Gaethje will not make it out of the opening round.

Meanwhile, Gaethje aims to silence the doubters who have written him off before he even steps into the octagon. 

He defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision to become the interim lightweight champion and set the stage for a bout with Topuria.

Topuria, 29, has become one of the biggest stars in the sport due to his confidence and impressive knockout streak. 

In an exclusive conversation with SportsBoom.us, via Montirex, Topuria said that while the White House event is historic, his main event clash with Gaethje will be business as usual.

“I see this fight as no different from any other fights I’ve won. It's not a prediction, but certainty that I have that I will walk away from this fight as a winner,” Topuria told SportsBoom.us. 

“I plan to show up to this fight with the mindset I use in all my fights: with absolute belief, calm certainty, and a mindset where the win is already mine.”

“I end my campaign film with Montirex saying, ‘Once the impossible, now the inevitable.’ It is how I see my career: before I step into the cage, I’ve already lived that moment, that win, many times. It’s inevitable,” he said. 

FACING JUSTIN GAETHJE

Justin Gaethje remains one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. Although he has come up short in his previous two attempts at undisputed lightweight gold, ‘The Highlight’ has continued to bounce back.

The former BMF champion aims to make a statement at Topuria’s expense that he still has a lot of fight left in him. Some of his most notable wins have come against Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, and Tony Ferguson. 

While he enters the event as a significant betting favourite, Topuria is not overlooking Gaethje and is aware of the danger he poses.

“Justin Gaethje is aggressive, and he is well known for this in the industry. He comes forward, he throws hard, he has no fear,” Topuria said.

“All my opponents came with something strong, power, grappling, speed, but I’ve proven I'm stronger.”

Despite Gaethje’s skill set, Topuria is confident that ‘The Highlight’ will share the same fate as his previous opponents.

“Gaethje is combative, but I know what to anticipate from him, and I will find his openings and finish the fight in the first round,” he added.

LEGACY IN MMA

Topuria has made a strong case for why he should be in the conversation as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. 

He joined the list of all-time greats by becoming a two-division UFC champion, having won both the featherweight and lightweight championships. 

Topuria has expressed his confidence that he will be among the greatest fighters of all time by the time his career is over.

“From the beginning, I’ve said that I’m going to become one of the greatest to ever do this. Not because I hope for it, but because I believe it,” Topuria said.

The UFC lightweight champion credits his championship mindset for contributing to his success. 

“I stay calm, focused, and disciplined. People get distracted by the big picture. They start protecting records, choosing fights, and thinking too much. That’s when they lose.”

“Every fight is the most important fight of my life. That’s my mentality, and it’s one of the main reasons I stay undefeated,” he concluded.