Justin Gaethje Showed Ilia Topuria’s Big Weakness, Says Ex-UFC Lightweight Champ

Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar believes Justin Gaethje exposed a significant weakness in Ilia Topuria during their championship bout at UFC 250. Edgar, who himself recently secured a victory on the Real American Freestyle mat, shared his insights on Gaethje's impressive win.

The unexpected shift in the lightweight division saw Gaethje overcome the previously undefeated Topuria, who retired on his stool during their fight. Edgar, along with fellow former lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, was present for a viewing party of the fight, witnessing Gaethje's third attempt at securing lineal gold.

While many considered Gaethje's victory to be a major upset, Edgar drew parallels to his own underdog win against BJ Penn. When asked about Gaethje becoming the UFC lightweight champion, Edgar expressed his admiration:

“Yeah, I think it’s amazing. Obviously, Justin is a friend of mine. I don’t think anybody’s more deserving; he’s been through it. There’s never been a boring fight where he didn’t put his whole all into it, and for him to achieve that, that was awesome to see. The way he did it, I mean, it was a; I picked Justin Gaethje, maybe because he’s my friend and I was really hoping it happened.”

Justin Gaethje Demonstrated “Guts and Heart” at UFC 250, According to Edgar: “That was a Straight-Up Justin Gaethje Fight”

Edgar further elaborated on the championship contest between Gaethje and Topuria, noting the tactical elements of the fight:

“I don’t think a lot of people were thinking it was going to go down that way. But if it was gonna go down, that’s exactly the way it was going to go down. That was a straight-up Justin Gaethje fight, and I do think that jab hurt [Topuria], that cut he had. I don’t know if it was his nose or the cut on his eye.”

“I think that really affected Ilia. [Topuria] is just not used to not being in the driver’s seat. Fighting on his back foot, he’s just not very good at it. So that’s; Justin was able to go there and just do a typical Justin Gaethje performance. Nothing but guts and heart and get it done. It was awesome to see.”