“We Are Not Justin Gaethje” – Ilia Topuria Gets Pleaded by Sparring Partners to Go Easy

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria looks to be in top form and locked in for the UFC Freedom 250 main event.

“We Are Not Justin Gaethje” – Ilia Topuria Gets Pleaded by Sparring Partners to Go Easy

Ilia Topuria stuns sparring partners (via X, MMA Fighting)

In Short
  • Ilia Topuria's sparring partners have urged him to ease up during intense training sessions ahead of his title defense.
  • Topuria is set to face interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 after remaining out of competition due to legal issues.
  • He aims to submit Islam Makhachev in a future matchup, believing it would "shock the world."

Ilia Topuria stands as one of the most dangerous fighters inside the Octagon, backed by his knockout power and unbeaten 17-0 record. The lightweight champion has built his rise on precision striking and constant pressure. That level has come through an unforgiving training regimen. This was recently highlighted as sparring partners asked him to ease up while preparing for his first title defense.

Topuria last competed in the UFC in June 2025, when he scored a knockout over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to claim the vacant lightweight title. The finish marked a key milestone as he moved up and captured gold. However, he has remained out of competition since then due to legal troubles. He is now set to return against interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 for his first lightweight title defense.

Topuria has also made notable adjustments to his training setup, relocating to Miami after years spent in Madrid working out of the Climent Club. For this fight camp, he has been training at PAI Wrestling/MMA while also utilizing his own setup, continuing preparations under head coach Javi Climent. Recent footage from his camp showed him sparring multiple partners, including undefeated prospect Lazaro Dayron.

During one of those sessions, his intensity became a focal point as he overwhelmed partners with combinations and constant pressure. Even as partners rotated in, the pace remained high, forcing them to repeatedly ask him to go lighter mid-spar. The session later showed interactions between the Georgian Spanish champion and those involved, reflecting on the demanding nature of the exchange.

He thinks he has Justin in front of him. We’re not Justin. His hand is really heavy and since he has a great time, with the timing and the technique, there is always a spot to get in.

Lazaro Dayron via YouTube

Topuria’s training sessions are no joke, forming a key part of his identity as a power puncher. Widely regarded as one of the best boxers in the UFC, he sharpens his striking through intense, fight-like drills that replicate real exchanges. He often releases training clips showcasing his speed and precision, which also serve as mental warfare by applying pressure on opponents well before fight night.

Ilia Topuria’s recent intensity has also come alongside major personal developments. He has gone through a divorce from longtime partner Giorgina Uzcategui while spending time away from their young daughter during this phase of his career. As he heads into his return, that edge could translate into a more dangerous ‘El Matador’, with Justin Gaethje set to face him on June 14 at the White House.

Ilia Topuria wants to shock the world by pulling off an unimaginable feat

The rivalry between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev has been brewing since the Georgian-Spanish star moved up to lightweight. Topuria made the move to pursue Makhachev, who had already vacated the belt and shifted to welterweight. A superfight between them has yet to materialize, but both have kept it alive, with Makhachev calling him out while Topuria has hinted at moving to 170 pounds.

Ilia Topuria
Ilia Topuria (via MMA Mania)

There were also major rumors surrounding Topuria and Makhachev, fueled by Topuria’s claims that Makhachev pulled out of a proposed White House main event at the last minute. Makhachev pushed back, accusing Topuria and his team of not being involved and spreading false claims. Amid the back-and-forth, Topuria has now vowed to do the unthinkable by targeting a submission win over Makhachev.

When I get the opportunity to fight someone, I always think about what I can do to really shock the world. So with Islam, I’m like, to shock the world, I have to submit him. That’s what I think is going to happen.

Ilia Topuria via The Ariel Helwani Show

Any plan by Ilia Topuria to submit Islam Makhachev faces a steep challenge given the Dagestani star’s elite background in wrestling and the Sambo developed there. Makhachev has never been submitted in his professional career, underlining his dominance on the ground. His lone loss came by knockout against Adriano Martins, making a submission victory over him a rare and difficult task.

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