Last January 24 was a day that will mark the immediate future of Ilia Topuria. The UFC lightweight champion, who is in a temporary hiatus in his career to resolve his personal problems, had one eye watching … to the screen, where UFC 324 was broadcast, in whose main event the American Justin Gaethje fought against the Englishman Paddy Pimblett to determine the new interim champion of that division (155 pounds, 70.3 kilos).
The night, which promised to look spectacular as it was the starting point of the ‘Paramount era’, turned into a declaration of sporting war. And, in that chaos reigning in the octagon, Gaethje showed why he is one of the most fearsome lightweight fighters. The American defeated the Liverpool player in five rounds, securing the interim title to his waist, but not without receiving several blows from the Englishman, who ended up succumbing to the American’s attacks.
Gaethje imposed his law within the disorder and that allowed him to obtain a bigger prize: everything indicates that he will fight in the White House on June 14, in the event that the UFC plans to hold on the same day as the birthday of the American president, Donald Trump. Now, the big question is: will he fight Ilia Topuria? Logic suggests that yes, since the Hispanic-Georgian is the undisputed lightweight champion, he should unify his belt with the interim one, which is Gaethje himself.
However, in the UFC you should never take anything for granted, as Topuria himself pointed out that, if the American won that duel, the company had other plans for him, which could include trying to close the duel against Islam Makhachev (the welterweight champion) in the short term. Be that as it may, Dana White, president and CEO of the UFC, was asked about this possible fight at a press conference.
“It’s going to be interesting, I think Ilia hits like a truck, and Gaethje too, so I think if Justin prepares well for this fight and is ready, it’s going to be fun”pointed out the boss of the UFC, suggesting that the most organic forecast, the natural one, is the one that should be fulfilled. In that case, Ilia Topuria would be fighting in the White House, since Gaethje has already made it clear that he has no other plan for him: «Fight in the White House? “There’s no way to keep me off that billboard unless I’m dead.”
