Justin Gaethje reveals why Ilia Topuria was ‘very easy to predict’ in monumental title win at UFC White House

Justin Gaethje saw Ilia Topuria make numerous mistakes — both during their memorable lightweight championship main event at UFC White House and on the road to the event.

Gaethje survived a tough second round, and eventually unleashed a hellacious beating on Topuria, en route to a fourth-round corner stoppage victory to win the undisputed lightweight title for the first time.

In Gaethje’s eyes, it was not only Topuria’s overwhelming confidence that did him in leading into the fight, but Topuria also made a massive blunder by treating this matchup like any of the others he’s won in the past, including the early celebrations he shared on social media.

“I’m referring to the 12 weeks before the fight,” Gaethje told Demetrious Johnson. “Those emotional mistakes in preparation, and so he wasn’t prepared for what happened that night. And that’s his fault, because he didn’t think that it was possible for someone to be there with him for that long, or whatever it was, he forgot who he was and how dangerous his game this game is. Every fight is so individual and nothing matters.

“One of the biggest mistakes I’ve ever made is trying to replicate a perfect performance the next time, and it takes away from the moment that is this moment. And I guarantee that’s what he was trying to do, he was trying to replicate, that’s why he was having the same parties.”

Gaethje is 2-0 in 2026 and tripled down that he will not compete again this year, should he return at all. Lead commentator Jon Anik said he’s heard internal chatter that leads him to believe that the UFC may want to run Gaethje vs. Topuria back for the former’s first title defense.

“The Highlight” revealed the biggest read he got on Topuria that led him to such success in the performance of a lifetime.

“I guess the best explanation for you to understand is his feet never change rhythms,” Gaethje explained. “He never changes rhythm with his feet. It’s always pop, pop, pop, pop, and it’s forwards or backwards. He’s very rarely moving lateral, and that’s how he fights.

“So ultimately it’s like about timing his feet and interrupting. The game plan was to interrupt his feet, especially when it’s so constant. It’s very easy to predict, and I’ve never seen him alter from that, start to move lateral and start to not be forward or backwards.”