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UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has said that he believes Ilia Topuria is undersized for the 155-pound division.

Upon entering the UFC lightweight division, Ilia Topuria made a statement by knocking out Charles Oliveira to become a two-weight world champion. In his next outing, however, Topuria went on to lose the belt to Justin Gaethje in a dramatic main event at UFC Freedom 250.

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While Ilia Topuria certainly had some bright moments in that fight, he also wound up quitting on the stool, and he took an incredible beating in the process that has altered the trajectory of his entire career.

In a recent interview, Gaethje explained why he thinks lightweight might be a step too far for Ilia Topuria.

Justin Gaethje on Ilia Topuria at lightweight

“I don’t think he’s a lightweight,” Gaethje said on the “Flagrant Podcast.” “I think he should go down. I think he can beat Volkanovski and be champion at featherweight. I don’t think he’ll ever be a champion at lightweight. He can’t beat Arman (Tsarukyan). He’s going to have a difficult time with Paddy (Pimblett). There’s a bunch of dogs. This sport is crazy, so a little luck, a little chance is always involved. Can he get lucky, and is he skilled enough? Absolutely. I think he’s undersized for lightweight. That’s what I felt.”

“I do think that he created a fake world before,” Gaethje said. “Believing he’s unbeatable, invincible. That’s not possible. Nobody is f*cking unbeatable or invincible. Putting on parties, updating bios, it’s kind of the same thing. He was updating the bio as if he had won before the fight happened. It’s a very similar thing, but as a loser now.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

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