Justin Gaethje Says Positioning Will Decide Fight Against Ilia Topuria

Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje (Image Credits: Imagn)

Justin Gaethje Says Positioning Will Decide Fight Against Ilia Topuria

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Pavan Sharma | Last updated May 23, 2026 1:23 PM ET

Justin Gaethje has never been accused of lacking self-awareness. And heading into his title fight with Ilia Topuria, he’s done his homework. The interim lightweight champion knows the biggest danger Topuria presents. And it has everything to do with angles, distance, and where his head is at any given moment.

Gaethje’s entire game plan appears to be built around removing that danger before it ever materializes. Topuria is short, fast, and hits very hard from strange angles. Fighters have to stay careful every second against him. One small mistake can end the fight very quickly. Gaethje looks like a fighter who studied Topuria closely and understands how dangerous he really is.

“We have a guy named Conor McGregor, who I would say is like our Muhammad Ali, but if you were looking for your Michael Jordan, it would be Jon Jones. Jon Jones is in his 40s now, he’s undefeated still. He’s never been beat and he’s moved up and down weight classes,” White said.

Justin Gaethje says distance and positioning will be key against Ilia Topuria

"I’ve really got to be careful. He’s shorter than me, and you really don’t want your head to be too much higher than guys who are throwing missiles at you.

Positioning is going to be the biggest… pic.twitter.com/6wU8KUsFjx
— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) May 23, 2026

Topuria and Gaethje will fight at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14. Topuria’s lightweight title will be on the line, while Gaethje comes in as interim champion. The winner leaves as the undisputed champion. Against someone like Topuria, Gaethje cannot relax even for a second.

Justin Gaethje Thinks Ilia Topuria Showed His Cards at Presser

Gaethje walked away from the UFC Freedom 250 press conference with more than just headlines. Instead, he walked away with information. “It’s funny because, he’s very emotional. That was good to see. You can’t let another man control you like that. Never,” Gaethje said.

Justin Gaethje believes Ilia Topuria is ‘very emotional’ following on-stage feud with Josh Hokit at UFC Freedom 250 presser:

“It’s funny because, he’s very emotional. That was good to see. You can’t let another man control you like that. Never.”

@Justin_Gaethje pic.twitter.com/Avv1mxEIj8
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) May 12, 2026

Topuria is still the most dangerous man in that division and walks in as the champion on June 14. His power, his timing, and his finishing ability haven’t changed because of one tense press conference moment. But Gaethje filing it away as useful tells one everything about how seriously he’s taking every piece of the puzzle heading into fight night.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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