Justin Gaethje is confident that he can become the first person to knock out UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and he wants his chance to prove it on the White House lawn.
Last month, Gaethje completely battered Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 to walk away with the interim UFC lightweight title (highlights HERE). The two fighters headlined UFC’s debut on Paramount+ as Topuria remained on the sidelines to settle some personal issues outside of the cage. It was another chance for Gaethje to capitalize on an interim title opportunity and he passed with flying colors.
Now that Topuria is returning to action it lines up a title unification bout against Gaethje, which is rumored to be taking place at UFC’s historic White House card. Gaethje is already a massive betting underdog for a potential matchup with Topuria, but that doesn’t mean “Highlight” can’t pull off the improbable and score the biggest win of his career.
In fact, Gaethje is willing to put his career on the line depending on how a fight with Topuria plays out. If he suffers another knockout loss and can’t get past Topuria then Gaethje is sure to end his final run with UFC. If he’s able to flip the script and knock Topuria out then Gaethje will certainly continue his career inside of the Octagon. It’s a high stakes gamble that one of the most violent fighters in UFC history is willing to take.
Check it out below and let us know if you agree with Gaethje’s plans for his fight with Topuria:
“I can absolutely knock Ilia Topuria out on the White House lawn,” Gaethje told Stephen A. Smith on Friday. “I know the power I possess. I know the skills I have. Of course, he could knock me out also. I want a chance. He’s the champion. He finished Volkanovski and Holloway. If I could do it, then I would believe this is all stimulation.
“If I knock out Ilia Topuria, I’m sure I would keep fighting. And if I lose by knockout to a bicycle in between, then I would be done.”