Ilia Topuria confirmed he will not wrestle against Justin Gaethje, despite believing he could take him down and submit him. Topuria wants to provide an entertaining striking battle for fans, similar to his approach against Max Holloway.
Ilia Topuria has made clear he has no intention of taking Justin Gaethje to the ground when the two meet, even though he believes he has the tools to do exactly that.
Speaking publicly ahead of the anticipated lightweight matchup, Topuria said he could take Gaethje down and submit him but has chosen to reject that path. Instead, the number-one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet wants to deliver a striking war that entertains fans, in the same spirit as his outing against Max Holloway.
Topuria, 29, carries a 17-1 record and holds the number-two divisional ranking at lightweight. The Spaniard out of Climent Club is a well-rounded threat despite the grappling-heavy reputation, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, while also posting 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes when he chooses to use them.
Standing across from him will be lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. At 37, the Arizona native known as "The Highlight" owns a 28-5 record and is statistically one of the most accurate strikers in the division, connecting at 58 percent and landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute. Gaethje, who fights out of Genesis Training Center, has a one-inch reach advantage over Topuria at 70 inches and stands six feet tall.
The contrast with Holloway is worth noting. Holloway, ranked fourth at lightweight and ninth pound-for-pound at 34 years old, averages a staggering 7.2 significant strikes per minute and served as an aggressive volume striker throughout his UFC career. Topuria's decision to stand and trade against that type of fighter signals real commitment to an entertaining style.
Why it matters
- Topuria is voluntarily setting aside one of his strongest statistical weapons in takedowns and submissions
- Gaethje's elite striking accuracy at 58 percent makes a pure striking contest a genuine risk
- A striking-focused approach raises the stakes for both men given the lightweight title is on the line
