Justin Gaethje is embracing the role of underdog as he prepares for a potential lightweight title unification clash with Ilia Topuria at the UFC’s highly anticipated White House event on June 14.
Gaethje earned his spot opposite the reigning 155-pound champion after defeating Paddy Pimblett to capture the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in January. If the matchup is finalized, it will pit one of the division’s most battle-tested veterans against a champion who has quickly become one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Topuria enters the fight riding a remarkable streak of knockout victories over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira — a run that helped him claim championships in both the featherweight and lightweight divisions.
The Spanish-Georgian champion recently added another layer to the rivalry when he posted a video to his YouTube channel featuring a funeral-themed ceremony. In the video, photos of Volkanovski, Holloway, Oliveira, and Gaethje were displayed on a makeshift altar, suggesting that Gaethje could be next on Topuria’s list of victims.
But Gaethje isn’t intimidated by the champion’s confidence.
Speaking with TMZ Sports, the former interim champion said he thrives under pressure and relishes the opportunity to prove doubters wrong.
“On the golf course, I always tell people my middle name is ‘Pressure,’” Gaethje said. “And I love pressure. I love being the underdog. I love being counted out.”
Gaethje also made it clear that he’s motivated by Topuria’s growing reputation and self-belief, viewing the fight as a chance to remind the undefeated champion that he’s not invincible.
“And I love the fact that my opponent thinks he's some kind of god or king,” Gaethje said. “And because I get to bring him down and let him know that he's just a human like all of us.”
