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Justin Gaethje addresses Ilia Topuria title shot and reveals how he’s going to win, and where he wants it.

Originally posted on HITC | By Christopher De Santiago | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 11:22 AM ET

Justin Gaethje has something many in the lightweight division want, and he has a feeling it’s going to take him to Ilia Topuria.

With Dustin Poirier’s retirement leaving another gap at the top of the division, Gaethje used a first-round stoppage of Rafael Fiziev at UFC 314 to crash back into title contention.

But his path to a title shot hasn’t always been straightforward. Many fans felt Gaethje should have faced Ilia Topuria a while ago, especially with Michael Chandler pulling out of UFC 314. He ended up taking a replacement fight – and making good on it.

Now, Topuria has since become a two-division champion following a vicious first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. And Gaethje is trying to put himself back in the picture for a title opportunity.

Justin Gaethje would like to fight Topuria at Madison Square Garden

It’s clear why Justin Gaethje is interested in a fight. He’s been around long enough to know when the math is adding up.

Gaethje’s camp have won three of their last four fights, with the sole loss coming in a split decision. But there’s also the starting line to consider.

The man from Tucson, Arizona, made sure to take a front-row seat at Topuria’s first title fight at UFC 317. But it was notable that he wasn’t called to the Octagon, with Paddy Pimblett getting the spotlight instead.

Gaethje wants Ilia Topuria to be his next opponent and has also expressed interest in making the fight happen at Madison Square Garden, where the UFC could host an event this fall.

“I would love to knock him out…” he said in the video recorded with the skimboarder Austin Keen.

Ilia Topuria knocked off three fan favourites in a row

Gaethje wasn’t the first well-known fighter to want a title shot with Ilia Topuria. The top end of the lightweight division has several fighters who have crossed the invisible line into popularity with fans.

In fact, most of his recent title fights have been against popular, established names, including three back-to-back: Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.

Gaethje is one of only two fighters in history to win both the BMF belt and an interim UFC belt. He has established himself as one of the most entertaining and dangerous fighters in the company, which could pave the way for this bout.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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