Justin Gaethje has made clear his goal to face Ilia Topuria next, hoping to secure a knockout victory. The proposed Justin Gaethje Ilia Topuria fight is expected to take place in November at Madison Square Garden, following Gaethje’s recent $400,000 prize win that accelerated his title shot ambitions.

After suffering a memorable knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 in 2024, Gaethje rebounded strongly with a unanimous decision win over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 earlier this year. That victory solidified his position near the top of Dana White’s lightweight rankings.

Gaethje’s Desire to Face the Lightweight Champion Intensifies

Gaethje openly expressed his determination to fight the emerging top lightweight contender, Ilia Topuria. Ahead of UFC 317, which featured Topuria versus Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title, Gaethje stated:

“I don’t care who wins. I just want to fight the winner,”

—Justin Gaethje, UFC Fighter

He elaborated on Topuria’s status, describing the champion as “the big name right now” and “cocky,” and also voiced his eagerness for a definitive conclusion.

“I’d love to knock him out… I don’t give a f*** who wins. I hope one of them is put to sleep and I get to fight the winner in November in Madison Square Garden.”

—Justin Gaethje, UFC Fighter

His wish came true when Topuria delivered a first-round knockout over Oliveira to claim the lightweight championship, establishing himself as a dominant force and the top pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC.

Topuria’s Recent Streak and Championship Defense Plans

Ilia Topuria, originally from Georgia but fighting under the Spanish banner, has earned a reputation for his powerful finishes. He has knocked out renowned fighters like Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in his last three bouts. Now the lightweight champion, Topuria is preparing for his first title defense and Gaethje is the leading contender.

The November date and Madison Square Garden venue align with UFC’s tradition of hosting major events in New York late in the year. Topuria’s recent main event at MSG was UFC 309 last November when Jon Jones defended the heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, a fight many viewed as significant in its own right.

Topuria’s Reluctance and Potential Alternative Opponent

Despite Gaethje’s eagerness, Topuria expressed reservations about the fight, emphasizing a desire for fresh challengers in the division. Speaking to ESPN after UFC 317, he said:

“Fighting against Justin Gaethje, I don’t think that’s gonna be something exciting for the fans,”

—Ilia Topuria, UFC Champion

He continued:

“We need new blood in the division. We need new faces that come hungrier than the guys that we are used to seeing in the past.”

—Ilia Topuria, UFC Champion

This sentiment suggests Topuria may be looking toward a fight with Paddy Pimblett, who participated in a tense face-off with the champion after UFC 317. The UFC CEO criticized that confrontation as inappropriate, yet many fans strongly support the Topuria versus Pimblett match-up.

Implications for Gaethje’s Career and UFC’s Broadcast Negotiations

UFC officials face the challenge of arranging a compelling fight card amid ongoing negotiations for future broadcast rights involving platforms like Netflix and Amazon. While Topuria versus Pimblett appears to be a favored bout for UFC’s promotional goals, denying Gaethje a title shot could result in the veteran’s retirement from the sport, as he has stated previously his next fight must be a title contest.

At 36 years old, Gaethje remains a top competitor willing to take on the best. His recent financial windfall following the Fanatic Games in New York City may give him additional leverage.

Gaethje’s Prize Win and Its Impact on His Next Step

Last month, Gaethje competed at the inaugural Fanatic Games, a multi-sport challenge event that paired athletes with fans to win nearly $2 million in prizes. He finished second overall behind <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL star Tom Brady, securing a Ferrari 812 GTS. However, Gaethje decided to forgo the luxury car in exchange for a large cash payout of $400,000. He reflected on the experience:

“I won a f***ing Ferrari,” he said before revealing his choice.

“I competed against 50 celebrities, 50 fans, and I took second place.”

—Justin Gaethje, UFC Fighter

The strong showing among a varied field of athletes, including NBA’s James Harden, quarterback Eli Manning, comedian Kevin Hart, UFC lightweight Michael Chandler, and WWE star Logan Paul, emphasizes Gaethje’s competitive spirit beyond the octagon.

The Anticipation Builds for a High-Stakes November Headliner

The potential Justin Gaethje Ilia Topuria fight has fans and analysts eagerly awaiting clarification. If finalized, the bout promises to be an intense showdown combining Gaethje’s relentless style with Topuria’s rising star power. With Madison Square Garden as the stage, this contest is expected to attract significant attention in the MMA world and could reshape the lightweight division’s future.

While Topuria’s reluctance adds uncertainty, the UFC and fans alike are keen to see if Gaethje will get his desired title shot or if a new challenger will emerge, leaving the lightweight landscape poised for change.