Ilia
Topuria vows to have a “pure striking fight” against Justin
Gaethje.
Topuria (17-0) puts his lightweight title on the line against
interim champion Gaethje (27-5) at
UFC White House on June 14. While Topuria hails from a
wrestling background, “El Matador” has established himself as a
lethal knockout artist over the years.
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Topuria claims he chooses striking over wrestling to entertain
fans. The undefeated Georgian-Spaniard defended his featherweight
title by handing Max
Holloway his only knockout loss ever in 2024. Topuria believes
he could have had his way with Holloway on the ground if he wanted.
However, Topuria believes a submission win over Holloway wouldn’t
have been as exciting as knocking him out cold was. Topuria had
even used Holloway’s iconic point down, inviting him to a slugfest
in the opening seconds of the fight. However, “Blessed” declined
the offer, perhaps wisely.
In the Name of Entertainment
Topuria believes that, like with Holloway, he can also impose his
will over Gaethje on the ground if he wants. However, Topuria
promises to keep it completely on the feet for the sake of fans.
Topuria also has a counter strategy if Gaethje chooses to wrestle
him. Regardless of how it plays out, Topuria is confident that he
will walk away with a knockout win.
“If I want it, of course, I take him down and do whatever I want
with him,” Topuria said on . “But I really want to give the fans a show,
the entertaining part. With Max also, I could take him down,
control him in the ground, submit him on the ground. But it
wouldn’t have been as exciting as it was. So that’s the same thing
I’m planning to do with Justin. It’s going to be a pure striking
fight, at least from my side. If he tries to take me down, then we
have different plans for that also. But anyways, I going to end up
knocking him out.”