Justin Gaethje Says Topuria Is Too Small for Lightweight

Justin Gaethje believes Ilia Topuria may have a difficult future in the UFC lightweight division after defeating him to become champion. Gaethje says Topuria’s size was a major factor in their fight and believes the former featherweight champion would have a better chance of success if he returned to 145 pounds.

The comments came after Gaethje handed Topuria the first defeat of his professional MMA career at UFC Freedom 250. The victory made Gaethje the UFC lightweight champion, while Topuria immediately began pushing for a rematch.

However, Gaethje does not appear convinced that Topuria belongs at lightweight.

Justin Gaethje Questions Topuria’s Size

Speaking on the FLAGRANT podcast, Gaethje offered his explanation for why he was able to stop Topuria.

The new champion said he considers Topuria undersized at 155 pounds and believes the Georgian-Spanish fighter could be more effective if he returned to featherweight.

Gaethje also argued that Topuria could still become champion again at 145 pounds, particularly if he faced Alexander Volkanovski. At lightweight, however, Gaethje believes the competition presents a much different challenge.

He specifically mentioned Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett as fighters who could create serious problems for Topuria.

Gaethje’s comments are particularly significant because Topuria had previously established himself as one of the UFC’s most dangerous finishers.

Before moving to lightweight, Topuria won the UFC featherweight championship and successfully defended the belt once. He then moved up to 155 pounds and stopped Charles Oliveira to capture the vacant lightweight title.

His unbeaten run ended against Gaethje.

Topuria Wants Another Opportunity

Despite the loss, Topuria has continued to campaign for another chance at the lightweight championship.

The defeat was the first of his MMA career, and its circumstances have generated additional tension between the two fighters. Topuria has accused Gaethje of using loaded gloves, a claim Gaethje has strongly rejected.

Gaethje said he does not accept that explanation and instead believes his physical advantages and performance were responsible for the result.

The champion’s assessment also reflects the challenge Topuria faces if he remains at lightweight. The division contains several established contenders with different styles, including elite wrestlers, powerful strikers and physically imposing fighters.

Arman Tsarukyan Emerges as the Next Challenger

While Gaethje remains uncertain about his own future, he was clear about who should receive the next lightweight title opportunity.

That fighter is Arman Tsarukyan.

“It’s not that I don’t want to fight Arman; it really isn’t. He’s the next in line,” Gaethje said, according to MMA Fighting.

Tsarukyan strengthened his case for a title fight with a first-round knockout of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in Los Angeles.

The victory extended Tsarukyan’s lightweight winning streak to six fights and came after he had spent considerable time trying to secure another championship opportunity.

Following the victory, Tsarukyan made it clear that he expects to fight for the belt next.

The Armenian contender also suggested that Gaethje could attempt to avoid the matchup, although those comments represent Tsarukyan’s own view rather than an established fact.

Gaethje Is Not Sure He Will Fight Again

The biggest uncertainty surrounding the lightweight title picture may not be Topuria’s next move but Gaethje’s own plans.

The champion is 37 years old and has been competing professionally since 2008. He has accumulated around 40 fights when his amateur bouts are included and said he needs time to assess the physical cost of his recent run.

Gaethje explained that he has injuries that need attention and wants to recover before making a decision.

He also acknowledged that he has already accomplished a great deal during his career.

After beating Topuria, Gaethje said he no longer feels he has anything left to prove. At the same time, he admitted that his performance against Topuria was arguably the best of his career, leaving him uncertain about whether to continue.

That creates an unusual situation for the UFC lightweight division.

Gaethje has identified Tsarukyan as the next contender, but the champion has not committed to defending the title against him.

A Potential Title Fight Remains Uncertain

If Gaethje chooses to continue, Tsarukyan appears to be the leading name for his first title defense based on the champion’s own comments.

Tsarukyan is also ready to return relatively quickly. After his win over Ruffy, he said he had no injuries and could begin training again after a short break. He indicated that he would be prepared for a fight toward the middle or end of December if the UFC offered him the opportunity.

Gaethje, meanwhile, plans to take his time.

He said he wants to enjoy being champion for the remainder of the year before making what he described as a business and life decision.

That leaves several possibilities for the division.

Topuria could pursue another fight at lightweight or consider a return to featherweight. Tsarukyan could receive the championship opportunity he has been seeking for years. And Gaethje could either defend his title or decide that his long career has reached its conclusion.

For now, however, Gaethje’s message is straightforward: he believes Topuria is too small for the lightweight division, and if he does defend his belt, he expects Arman Tsarukyan to be waiting for him.

The UFC’s next move will determine whether that matchup becomes the next chapter of Gaethje’s championship reign.