Justin Gaethje Calls Out Ilia Topuria, Demanding Lightweight Title Shot originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Justin “The Highlight” Gaethje has put together one of the best careers in UFC history at 155 pounds, and he only wants the belt next.
He’s coming off a unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev after taking nearly a year off following his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300. Gaethje and Fiziev delivered an epic fight, where Gaethje landed many brutal punches and often led the dance between the two.
With former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev vacating his title in hopes of success at welterweight, the division became wide open. Newly crowned lightweight king Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Olivera for the vacant belt last week, giving the division a new sense of direction.
The No. 10-ranked lightweight contender, Paddy Pimblett, who has a history of words with Topuria, entered the octagon following UFC 317’s main event to face off with the new champion. Although it’s a massive fight, many would argue that Pimblett would be skipping the line.
Arman Tsarukyan is currently the top contender in the division, and he doesn’t have a fight signed. He was scheduled to fight Makhachev in January, but pulled out due to an injury during fight week. Tsarukyan also weighed in as the backup last weekend, likely giving him an edge to get the fight before Pimblett.
Now that brings us back to Gaethje, who is 3-1 in his last four fights. The former ‘BMF’ champion defeated Fiziev twice and Dustin Poirier during that span and believes he should be next in line.
Justin Gaethje wants to fight Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight title later this year.
“Topuria is a big name right now, [he’s] cocky. I would like to knock him out… In November at Madison Square Garden.”
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— Fighters Only (@FightersOnly) July 7, 2025
“He [Justin] said, ‘If I’m not going to fight for the title, I’m just gonna hang up my gloves. I love the UFC, but I feel the UFC has to love me back,” Gaejthe’s agent, Ali Abdelaziz said.
“Topuria is a big name right now, [he’s] cocky. I would like to knock him out… In November at Madison Square Garden,” Gaethje said.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.