Justin Gaethje is turning up the heat on Ilia Topuria ahead of their UFC Freedom 250 showdown to unify the lightweight title on the South Lawn in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sun., June 14, 2026.
Gaethje, the UFC interim lightweight champion, took aim at the reigning titleholder’s personality and public persona while discussing their high-stakes main event, which was set after Topuria’s earlier absence opened the door for Gaethje to fight Paddy Pimblett, win interim gold, and secure the unification bout.
“All that guy is, is a gimmick,” Gaethje said of Topuria. “He calls himself the king. He thinks he’s a God. What an annoying little bastard.” He added, “I couldn’t imagine being in a room with him for 30 minutes, listening to him talk about himself,” and continued, “And I can say this: I would leave him. That’s all I’m saying. I would leave him. No way I would put up with his shit.”
Gaethje also drew a comparison to a previous rival, saying, “Up until this point, it’s served him well. People see the way he talks, and they believe it because he believes it. Which is amazing, really. But it was similar with Paddy Pimblett. He was so full of himself. And it can be so detrimental to approach life that way. Thinking you’re better than everybody else.”
Topuria, who had been kept out of action for the first part of the year due to his divorce, fired back with a pointed message: “Your son already knows who I am. On June 14th, you will too. 18-0 PAPA.”
