Justin Gaethje has expressed his mixed emotions about a potential fight with the unbeaten Ilia Topuria, revealing that he “loves how scared” he would feel entering the octagon against the formidable champion. Gaethje is set to face Paddy Pimblett on January 24, 2026, for the interim UFC lightweight title. The winner of this match will likely challenge Topuria later that year, as he takes a brief hiatus from mixed martial arts for personal reasons.
Topuria, who captured the vacant lightweight championship in June 2024 by knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira in the first round, is currently on a three-fight knockout streak. His impressive victories include finishes against notable fighters such as Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Gaethje recognizes the unique challenge that Topuria presents, particularly due to his striking prowess.
In an interview with ESPN Deportes, Gaethje emphasized the importance of trusting his instincts and abilities in the ring. He stated, “I have to trust my intuition, I have to trust my ability to judge distance and time – and just be there.” He acknowledged the unpredictability of the sport, noting that “anything can happen at any moment,” which keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
Gaethje highlighted Topuria’s striking combination as one of the best in the sport, saying, “His two-three [right hand into left hook] is one of the best combinations I’ve seen in this sport, and so it’s a beautiful challenge.” This candid admission reflects Gaethje’s respect for Topuria’s skills and his own readiness to confront such a daunting opponent.
As Gaethje prepares for his bout against Pimblett, he enters the fight with a record of 2-3 in UFC title fights, including interim and “Baddest Motherf*****” (BMF) title bouts. His most recent victory came in March 2024 when he secured a unanimous decision against Rafael Fiziev. Prior to that, he suffered a knockout loss to Max Holloway in a closely contested match that ended in the final seconds.
Pimblett, who will be competing for his first UFC championship, poses a significant challenge for Gaethje, who has previously won the interim lightweight title by defeating Tony Ferguson in 2020. However, he has struggled to unify the belts, having lost to former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout and again failing to capture the undisputed title in his rematch against Holloway.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming fight in Las Vegas, both fighters are aware that their paths may lead them to face Topuria, whose reputation continues to grow in the UFC. For Gaethje, the prospect of a showdown with Topuria is not only a potential title fight but also an opportunity to prove himself against one of the division’s most dangerous competitors.
