Ilia Topuria expressed his admiration for Justin Gaethje, stating that Gaethje is one of his favorite fighters whose bouts he finds interesting to watch. Topuria praised Gaethje's fighting style, noting that "The Highlight" never has boring fights. The UFC featherweight champion's comments reflect the respect he holds for Gaethje's exciting and aggressive approach in the octagon. This represents a rare public compliment from the typically reserved Topuria toward a fellow UFC competitor.
Ilia Topuria has gone on record with high praise for Justin Gaethje, calling "The Highlight" one of his favorite fighters to watch and singling out Gaethje's ability to consistently deliver exciting bouts inside the octagon.
Topuria, known by his nickname "El Matador," holds a 17-1 record and currently sits at number two in the lightweight division while also carrying the distinction of being ranked first pound-for-pound in the UFC. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who trains out of Climent Club, is a well-rounded threat who lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and averages nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, complementing his offensive output with 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes as well.
The target of his admiration, Justin Gaethje, is the reigning lightweight champion and brings a 28-5 record into his title reign. The 37-year-old from the United States trains out of Genesis Training Center and has built his reputation almost entirely on forward pressure and heavy hands. His numbers back the reputation — Gaethje lands 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, figures that rank among the most imposing in the division.
Why it matters
- Topuria's praise puts two of the lightweight division's premier names in the same conversation ahead of any potential future matchup.
- Gaethje holds the lightweight title while Topuria is ranked second in the division, making the compliment carry clear competitive context.
- Both fighters share an orthodox, strike-heavy style, though Topuria adds a grappling dimension that contrasts with Gaethje's near-zero submission output.
- Public respect between fighters at this level rarely stays in the media realm for long in a division with a title on the line.
