UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is vulnerable to one of Justin Gaethje’s greatest strengths, according to one of MMA’s best coaches.
Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje headlines the UFC’s upcoming card on the White House lawn, in a matchup to unify the UFC lightweight titles. Topuria, who won the then-vacant lightweight belt last year at UFC 317, is considered a significant favorite against the interim champ Gaethje entering UFC Freedom 250.
Topuria’s unbeaten run of dominance makes it not surprising that he would be the favorite against the aging Gaethje. But Gaethje’s grit, experience, and resume could make it a better fight than most expect.
Gaethje isn’t a stranger to being an underdog. Ahead of his interim title win over Paddy Pimblett earlier this year, many believed Gaethje’s best days were firmly behind him.
While Topuria presents a difficult puzzle for Gaethje to solve, one of his greatest strengths could be the path to a mammoth upset later this month, according to a top Mixed Martial Arts coach.
Eric Nicksick: Justin Gaethje’s kicks could be the difference vs. Ilia Topuria
In a recent interview with Home of Fight, Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick shared an interesting game plan that Gaethje could utilize against Topuria.
“I think Gaethje always has a chance in any fight. I think Ilia has more paths to victory and opportunities to win if he decides to use his grappling. But I go back to the Poirier vs. Gaethje fight when Gaethje, out of nowhere, throws the same-side head kick. And if I’m fighting Topuria, you have to keep his back hand active,” Nicksick said of Gaethje’s path to victory against Topuria.
“You have to be able to jam that with kicks. So if I’m on Gaethje’s side, I’m looking to kick a lot on the same side, exiting and keeping his right hand busy. To keep it jammed, you have to kick that thing.
“The fight that [Ilia] got hit with the head kick, Jai Herbert, there’s some flaws there,” Nicksick continued on Gaethje. “With Trevor Wittman, Gaethje and those guys they’ll have a good game plan to make it competitive.”
Gaethje’s last knockout win came against Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, the headkick KO that Nicksick referred to in the interview above.
What is your prediction for Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje? Let us know in the comments!
