Justin Gaethje beloved by former UFC champion but still predicted to lose against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250

One former UFC titleholder is a big fan of Justin Gaethje, but he still thinks “The Highlight” will fall to Ilia Topuria.

Topuria and Gaethje are on a collision course that will meet its end on Sunday. The two will clash in the UFC Freedom 250 main event on the White House lawn. The winner will have the distinction of unifying the UFC Lightweight Championship. Topuria holds the main title, while Gaethje is the interim champion.

Many pros have made their picks for Saturday’s headliner, and former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is one of the latest ones. Before giving his final verdict, du Plessis noted on Fight Forecast that Gaethje is one of his favorite fighters to watch (h/t MMAJunkie).

“I think Ilia Topuria is the biggest star in the sport right now, and rightfully so,” Du Plessis said. “What he’s been able to do is incredible. I’m a massive fan of his fight style because he doesn’t just win, he does it spectacularly in ways that those people have never been won before, which is incredible. But Justin Gaethje, in my top five, top three even, favorite fighters to watch fight. I mean, that guy’s never been in a boring fight in his whole life, and he doesn’t have the capability of being in one because that’s how he fights. He goes out to kill.”

While “Stillknocks” is in awe of Gaethje’s toughness, he doesn’t believe it’ll be enough to overcome the precise striking of Topuria.

“I’m such a big Gaethje fan, but Ilia is going to win this fight,” Du Plessis said.

Up to this point, Topuria is undefeated in his pro MMA career. He is the only man to knock out Max Holloway, and he has also shut the lights off Alexander Volkanovski and Charles Oliveira. If he adds Gaethje to his list of fallen foes, then Topuria might set himself up for a super fight with Islam Makhachev unless Arman Tsarukyan can get himself back in UFC’s good graces.

What round do you think Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje ends at UFC Freedom 250? Any chance this one goes the distance? Drop a comment below.