Ilia Topuria Wins First Fight Justin Gaethje Claims Was A Setup
By 813 Staff
In a blockbuster move shaking up the league, Ilia Topuria Wins First Fight Justin Gaethje Claims Was A Setup, according to Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) (on June 2, 2026).
Source: https://x.com/Home_of_Fight/status/2061909098581430545
If you’ve been watching UFC and wondering why some of the best fighters in the world seem to struggle against Ilia Topuria, one of the toughest veterans in the sport says the answer is simpler than you think. Justin Gaethje, the former interim lightweight champion and a man who knows a thing or two about pressure, believes Topuria’s last few opponents all made the same fundamental mistake—and it’s something any fan watching from home can spot.
According to Gaethje, speaking in a clip first reported by Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) on June 2, 2026, the error comes down to fight IQ and discipline. League sources confirm Gaethje was referring to Topuria’s recent wins over Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, two elite featherweights who seemed to abandon their usual game plans under the champ’s pressure. Those close to the situation say Gaethje’s analysis is being taken seriously inside the lightweight division, especially as talk of a potential super fight between Topuria and the winner of Islam Makhachev’s next bout continues to circulate.
The front office has been quietly monitoring this chatter. While the UFC has not officially booked anything, the promotion’s matchmakers have started floating Topuria’s name against top lightweights, and Gaethje’s comments add fuel to that fire. The veteran’s point is blunt: Topuria’s opponents tried to stand and trade with him too early, ignoring their own defensive foundations. “They forgot what got them there,” Gaethje said, according to the Home of Fight report. For regular fans, this means the blueprint to beating Topuria might actually exist—but no one has executed it yet.
What happens next is where things get interesting. Topuria is expected to defend his featherweight title this fall against a top contender, but the wheels are already turning on a potential move to 155 pounds. The front office has been careful not to rush him, knowing that his star power is still rising. Gaethje, meanwhile, is coming off a win and remains in the title mix. A fight between them isn’t imminent, but those close to the situation say the conversation has already started behind closed doors. For now, Gaethje’s warning stands as a free piece of advice for anyone stepping into the cage with Topuria: don’t fight his fight.
Source: https://x.com/Home_of_Fight/status/2061909098581430545
