Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Topuria Vs. Gaethje Could Be First UFC-Paramount Event

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 1:37 AM ET

The UFC is reportedly aiming for a massive title fight to headline its first event under the organization’s new, multibillion-dollar broadcast deal with Paramount.

Reports stress it could be a Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje fight for January 2026, as part of UFC 324. Topuria captured the vacant lightweight title at UFC 317 in June by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round. With that victory, Topuria (who previously held the featherweight title) became a two-division UFC champion.

Meanwhile, Gaethje is coming off a victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 in March. Gaethje has had previous attempts to capture the lightweight title, suffering submission losses to both Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC 254 in 2020) and Charles Oliveira (UFC 274 in 2022). Gaethje previously stated that he would retire if he was not given a title shot after his Fiziev win.

https://t.co/qCzgp5K6Ko pic.twitter.com/McLmq728Og
— Álvaro Colmenero (@KOlmeneroMMA) October 5, 2025

The Approach

Topuria’s path to victory lies in his superior boxing. The champion will seek to take the center of the Octagon and patiently apply pressure, using feints and a sharp jab to draw Gaethje into his punching range. Topuria’s greatest asset is his ability to deliver power with precision, as seen in his first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. If Gaethje resorts to his characteristic aggressive lunges and dips his head to throw powerful hooks, Topuria will be perfectly positioned to counter with his signature straight right hand or a clean uppercut.

Conversely, Gaethje possesses some of the most powerful low kicks in MMA, and his aim will be to compromise Topuria’s mobility. Topuria has shown a tendency to absorb, rather than check, low kicks, a weakness Gaethje must exploit early and often. By damaging Topuria’s stance, Gaethje aims to slow the champion’s explosive head movement and limit his ability to generate force on his knockout punches.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: