The interim lightweight champion looks poised for a high-stakes clash with the UFC’s reigning lightweight titleholder.
Justin Gaethje secured a win over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January, becoming a two-time interim champion in the 155-pound division. This victory positions him perfectly to face Ilya Topuria later this year, keeping Gaethje’s dream of unifying the lightweight belt alive on MMA’s biggest platform.
Topuria had announced a break from competition at the end of 2025 but plans to return in the second quarter of this year. Should a title unification bout be in the works between him and Gaethje, MMA legend Daniel Cormier has some strategic advice for the American fighter.
No fighter has ever beaten Topuria, with only Josh Emmett and Yousef Zalal managing to withstand his power. Max Holloway, a former featherweight champ, suffered a knockout defeat at Topuria’s hands during his first title defense in early 2024.
Gaethje faced Holloway earlier the same year at UFC 300 in a brutal five-round battle that ended in a draw. Cormier warned Gaethje not to engage Topuria in a wild brawl as he did with Holloway, fearing it could lead to another knockout loss.
“Justin is a good friend,” Cormier said on the show nightcap alongside Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson. “I’m going to tell him, ‘Don’t fight Ilia Topuria like that.’ Topuria’s power is serious.” He recounted how Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira with just a few punches, emphasizing the danger Gaethje would face if he traded blows recklessly.
Topuria recently resolved personal issues with his ex-wife, marking an end to his hiatus from the UFC. Now focused on his fighting career, he is reportedly 90% certain to face Gaethje in a unification bout scheduled for June 14th at the White House, according to an X post by Alvaro Colmenero.
Fan Take: This matchup is huge for fight fans because it promises a thrilling clash between two of the division’s toughest warriors, each with very different fighting styles. If it happens at such a prestigious venue like the White House, it could elevate MMA’s profile even further and set the stage for one of the most memorable lightweight title fights in recent history.
