Dricus Du Plessis has offered a detailed breakdown of the upcoming lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, which headlines UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday at the White House in Washington.
Topuria will put his lightweight title on the line against interim champion Gaethje in the main event, with the card streaming on Paramount+. FanDuel lists Gaethje as a +430 underdog and Topuria as a -670 favorite.
Du Plessis was full of praise for the undefeated champion, saying, "I think Ilia Topuria is the biggest star in the sport right now, and rightfully so," and adding, "What he's been able to do is incredible. I'm a massive fan of his fight style because he doesn't just win, he does it spectacularly in ways that those people have never been won before, which is incredible."
At the same time, Du Plessis highlighted Gaethje’s danger and heart: "But Justin Gaethje, in my top five, top three even, favorite fighters to watch fight. I mean, that guy's never been in a boring fight in his whole life, and he doesn't have the capability of being in one because that's how he fights. He goes out to kill."
Breaking down the matchup, Du Plessis said, "Ilia is too calculated and he hits too hard. I believe Ilia has a lot better grappling and wrestling. Gaethje is going to have to set up that – I believe his key to victory would be those leg kicks... but not standing and banging in that pocket. That is not going to be his answer." He closed his assessment with a clear prediction: "I'm such a big Gaethje fan, but Ilia is going to win this fight,".
