Ilia Topuria shares bold prediction for Justin Gaethje title fight at the White House

Ilua Topuria has a bold prediction for his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje.

Topuria is set to headline the White House card on Sunday as he defends his lightweight title against Gaethje. It’s a highly anticipated bout, and heading into the fight, Topuria is a massive favorite.

Given that Topuria is a sizable favorite, he expects to make quick work of Gaethje as he believes he will get a first-round KO win.

“He’s a great guy, a great fighter who’s done a lot of things in this sport,” Topuria said to ABC Spain. “I, as a fan, am quite a follower of his style. He is a real fighter. But on a technical and skills level, I see he is below me. Many will say that I am arrogant, but none have shown me that I am wrong. I have no doubt that he won’t be able to do anything to me, I have the complete faith that I will put him to sleep in the first round, I don’t see any chance for him. I want to consider that I could take more than one round, but I don’t see any possibility.”

Topuria is known for his KO power, but Gaethje is a tough out, so finishing him in the first round is bold.

Ilia Topuria is fully prepared for Justin Gaethje

Although Topuria expects the fight at the White House to end early, he is prepared for Gaethje.

Topuria believes he’s better everywhere than Gaethje, and that also includes his preparation.

“What he is going to try to do is very clear,” Topuria said. “He’s going to try to go out with calf kicks, he will try to hurt me in the lead leg, maybe try to head kick me because I have a history where I ate some kick like this. But the fight? If you go to the fight, once we get out of the clinch, he will have a very high energy expenditure. I do not know if he is going to opt for that option, then he has to stand in the fight. Physically, I am a thousand times better prepared than Justin.”

Topuria enters the bout with a record of 17-0. He’s coming off a KO win over Charles Oliveira to win the lightweight title.

Do you think Ilia Topuria will beat Justin Gaethje in the first round?