Ilia Topuria Says He Won't Wrestle Justin Gaethje

Ilia Topuria has made clear he intends to stand and trade with Justin Gaethje when the two meet, declaring in a recent interview that he will not use wrestling to control his opponent despite believing he has the tools to do so.

Topuria, the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, carries a 17-1-0 record and competes at lightweight, where he is ranked second in the division. The 29-year-old Spaniard out of Climent Club is a well-rounded threat — he averages nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes and lands more than one submission attempt per 15 minutes — yet he told fans not to expect any of that against Gaethje. He referenced his fight with Max Holloway as a precedent, saying he made a similar choice there to keep the action on the feet purely for entertainment value.

Gaethje, the reigning lightweight champion, brings a fearsome stand-up game into this contest. The 37-year-old American from Genesis Training Center holds a 28-5-0 record and lands 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 58 percent — one of the sharpest rates in the division. His takedown and submission numbers are minimal, meaning any fight that stays upright plays squarely into his strengths.

Holloway, ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth pound-for-pound at 34 years old, serves as the reference point Topuria cited. The Hawaiian averages an extraordinary 7.2 significant strikes per minute, so choosing to box with him rather than grapple was itself a significant statement of intent from Topuria at the time.

Why it matters

• Topuria is voluntarily surrendering one of his clearest competitive advantages by pledging to keep the fight standing
• Gaethje's 58 percent striking accuracy makes him a dangerous opponent for anyone willing to engage in a pure striking exchange
• The decision echoes Topuria's approach against Holloway and suggests a deliberate stylistic philosophy rather than a one-time choice