Ilia Topuria reveals new mindset before Justin Gaethje fight

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Ilia Topuria plans to bring his most aggressive form yet when he faces Justin Gaethje in Washington D.C. this June.

Topuria, the UFC lightweight champion, is set to make his first title defense just over a year after claiming the belt in June 2025.

After a hiatus due to personal issues, ‘El Matador’ returns to face interim champion Gaethje. The Spaniard has warned that Gaethje is in for a tough night at the White House event.

Ilia Topuria says this is the first time he’s fighting for something other than money at UFC White House

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Gaethje earned his second interim title by defeating Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, setting up a clash with Topuria.

This will be Gaethje’s third attempt to capture the undisputed title, headlining the June 14 card at the White House.

A lot of people are backing Topuria to continue his knockout streak, and he believes this fight could end quickly given where he’s at mentally.

“After my last fight, I’ve moved past a place where I was doing everything out of necessity,” Topuria told El Nuevo Herald.

“For the first time in my life, I’m going to step into the Octagon where my life doesn’t depend on what happens in there.

“Thank God for giving me the stability where neither I nor my children will ever lack anything,” he added. “So now you’re going to see a different Ilia. You’re going to see El Matador, not at 100 percent but at 200 percent. Someone who truly enjoys the art.

Topuria returned to lightweight by knocking out Charles Oliveira after back-to-back featherweight knockouts over Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski. He hasn’t fought since that win in April 2025, having missed most of this year due to personal issues.