Justin Gaethje’s striking is seen as so “dangerous” that this man thinks even Ilia Topuria would be tempted to take things to the ground.
Topuria is a couple of months into his reign as UFC lightweight champion, but considerable uncertainty still surrounds his first challenger.
Since Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to collect the vacant crown at 155 pounds, three names have been staking their claims for the first shot at unseating ‘El Matador’.
In a bid to push himself above Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett, Gaethje made the UFC a retirement ultimatum, threatening to walk away from the sport if he does not receive a title shot.
The American’s manager, for one, thinks there aren’t many better fights across any division that the promotion could put together right now.
Justin Gaethje’s manager would not be surprised to see Ilia Topuria grapple against him
During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Dominance MMA CEO Ali Abdelaziz provided an update on Gaethje’s status.
While nothing has been decided, the Egyptian revealed that the former interim UFC lightweight champion and BMF titleholder is “sticking to his guns.”
Abdelaziz thinks he’s right to do so and should receive the first shot at Topuria. And despite the Spaniard knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Oliveira consecutively, he thinks Gaethje is “too dangerous” for Topuria to strike with.
“It’s a car crash (fight),” Abdelaziz said.
“Whoever is gonna land first, is gonna go to sleep. This is my opinion.
“I think Topuria might try to wrestle Justin, also,” Abdelaziz continued. “I think Justin Gaethje is way too dangerous to just stand in front of and throw punches.
“Justin is a very powerful striker, he’s very dangerous. Honestly, it’s one of the best fights you can make in the UFC.”
Ilia Topuria is not expected to defend his UFC title until 2026
For now, talk of Topuria and Gaethje facing off next remains strictly speculation, especially after the latest updates shut down any possibility of it taking place later this year.
After reports of Topuria’s manager hinting at the Gaethje fight and Renato Moicano revealing whispers of it taking place at UFC 322 in November, Spanish reporter Alvaro Colmenero took to social media to clarify the status of both ‘El Matador’ and another fighter from the country, Joel Alvarez.
“Many of you have written to me asking if it’s true that Joel Alvarez was fighting in Paris and Ilia Topuria in New York,” Colmenero wrote on X.
“As far as I know, the answer is NO.
“I hope Joel can fight in October/November and Topuria in January/February,” he added.
That appeared to be corroborated when Topuria was absent from the announcement of a championship double header for UFC 322, featuring Islam Makhachev’s title challenge against Jack Della Maddalena in the main event.