Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje Exchange Heated Words Before UFC Freedom 250 Title Fight
Undefeated UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria and interim champion Justin Gaethje have finally spoken to each other after a back-and-forth feud that had Gaethje bring up Topuria's highly publicized divorce, and had the two exchanging heated messages via social media.
The two fighters, who are set to fight for the undisputed belt in the main card of UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn, spoke in a pseudo face-to-face on the Pat McAfee Show, where the titular host had both men speaking to each other in a three-way video call.
Gaethje, who previously called Topuria a "gimmick" in an interview with Fox Sports Australia, also said he understands why Ilia Topuria's ex-wife Giorgina Uzcategui left him. Despite these comments, Gaethje believes he didn't cross any personal lines.
Topuria and Gaethje Trash-Talk
"Ultimately, we're going to try to hurt each other, and I guess that is pretty personal, but that is the job that we do," Gaethje stated. "I never said anything personal. But we're very vulnerable when it comes to fight week, we're very emotional, and so we take everything personal."
Topuria responded, preceding his threats with respect, saying, "I respect Justin as an opponent. I think he's done great things in the sport."
"But there are big differences between me and him," Topuria added. "As he said, he's going to try to do things, and I'm going to do it. I'm going to deliver. I'm not going to try to do anything. I'm going to do it."
Gaethje was dismissive of Topuria's comments, believing that they come from a place of ego and delusion.
"He's a narcissist and believes everything he says. He sits around, and smells his own farts, and thinks he's God. He's human just like me," Gaethje remarked before making a bold claim about their upcoming fight.
Both Fighters Give Predictions
"I'm going to show him. Right when I touch his chin, he's going to go to sleep just like anybody would whenever I land my shots."
Gaethje also says he doesn't mind being an underdog against Topuria.
"I thrive under pressure. I love pressure. I love these situations. I love you knowing you're going to knock me out because when it goes to the second round, and it goes to the third round, you're going to be like ‘I talked all this sh-,'" Gaethje stated.
Topuria, however, does not believe the fight will last that long, saying, "There's never going to be a second or third round. That's not going to happen. I'm going to knock you out in the first round."
Gaethje, however, was adamant that Topuria would not present anything Gaethje has not seen before.
"I've been knocked out cold," Gaethje said, referencing his KO loss to fellow lightweight Max Holloway. "I fought over 30 times. There's nothing you can show me or make me feel that I haven't felt before."
He also predicted that he's ready for Topuria "to shoot and take me down."
Topuria shut down Gaethje's prediction, saying, "Never, forget about it. I'm never gonna shoot for a takedown."
Fight For Undisputed Title
"You're not going to be able to do any f- thing," Topuria continued. "There's a reason I'm the world champion. I talk, and I prove it. I talk the talk, and I walk the walk. I won the world title three times."
"I'm the king on this screen right now. I'm the motherf- champion, not you. So shut the f- up. I'm going to put him to sleep in the first round. Don't blink. Because it's going to be very quick."
Gaethje, however, was not convinced by Topuria's act.
"So scary, man! So scary!" Gaethje responded sarcastically. "That's what we do! We're both going to try to f- knock each other's heads off. That's what this f- game is."
The two will square off this weekend, June 14, for the undisputed lightweight title. This will mark Topuria's first defense since knocking out Charles Oliveira for the vacant title.
Topuria also returns from a year-long hiatus, as he dealt with legal issues related to his aforementioned divorce and custody battle.
For Gaethje, this upcoming fight will be his second shot at the undisputed title. His first came back in 2020 against hall-of-famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, which also happened to be Nurmagomedov's retirement fight (via UFC on YouTube):
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This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 1:40 AM.