Joe Rogan can’t believe how big of an underdog Justin Gaethje is going into UFC Freedom 250.
Gaethje and Ilia Topuria will collide on Sunday for the right of being called the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion. While Topuria holds the main title, his hiatus led to Gaethje winning interim gold in a January tilt against Paddy Pimblett. The two heavy-handed strikers will meet on the White House lawn in the UFC Freedom 250 main event.
Rogan has caught wind of the betting odds for Topuria vs. Gaethje, and he thinks the oddsmakers are selling “The Highlight” far too short. He explained why it’s a mistake to overlook Gaethje during a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” (h/t MMAJunkie).
“Four-to-one (favorite) is crazy,” Rogan said. “If you just think about what he’s done in his last three fights, he’s had the most legendary run in MMA championship history in his last three fights. He knocked out three all-time greats – knocks out Alexander Volkanovski, knocks out Max Holloway, knocks out Charles Oliveira. Three in a row. Anybody who can do that, you go, ‘I’m not f*cking betting anything against that guy.’ But Justin Gaethje’s a tough character, son. The thing is, man, don’t think that Justin Gaethje can’t win. Anybody can lose in an MMA fight. People get hit.”
Rogan then mentioned that early on in Topuria’s career he got caught with a perfectly timed head kick that nearly shut his lights off before he managed to recover and win the fight. The longtime UFC commentator said anytime a moment like that happens at the elite level, it’s difficult to avoid being stopped, which is why he can’t understand why the odds are so wide.
“Justin’s a much bigger guy than him, but the way he knocks guys out, it’s just dead,” Rogan continued. “He knocks them out dead, but so does Gaethje. People forget it, Gaethje is a f*cking war hammer, dude. That guy loves battles. It’s a tough fight, man.”
As we get closer to UFC Freedom 250, where is your head at in terms of Justin Gaethje’s chances against Ilia Topuria on Sunday? Have the odds of an upset increased, decreased, or remained the same for you? Sound off in the comments below.