TLDR
- Robert Whittaker says the Justin Gaethje who beat Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 won’t defeat Ilia Topuria
- Whittaker praised Topuria’s striking as “leagues above” others with elite wrestling and jiu-jitsu
- The former champion warned Gaethje’s brawling style will play into Topuria’s hands
- Whittaker stressed that distance management and avoiding reckless trading is crucial for Gaethje
- Gaethje holds the interim featherweight title and is the next challenger for Topuria’s championship
Sources: Sherdog | ClutchPoints | Sportskeeda
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker says Justin Gaethje needs to completely change his approach if he wants to beat featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Speaking on his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker warned that the version of Gaethje who defeated Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 won’t be enough against “El Matador.”
Gaethje captured the interim featherweight title with his victory over Pimblett at UFC 324. The win set up a potential unification bout with undisputed champion Topuria.
Topuria’s Skills Present Unique Challenge
Whittaker praised Topuria’s complete skill set, saying the champion’s striking is “leagues above” other fighters in the division. He also pointed to Topuria’s elite wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu as major threats.
The former middleweight king believes Gaethje’s trademark brawling style will play directly into Topuria’s hands. Whittaker stressed that trading strikes in close range would be a dangerous mistake.
“The striking is leagues above others, with elite wrestling and jiu-jitsu,” Whittaker said of Topuria’s abilities. He warned that Gaethje’s recent performance against Pimblett shows he hasn’t made the necessary adjustments.
Whittaker emphasized that distance management will be critical for Gaethje’s success. He said Gaethje must avoid reckless exchanges and fight at range to remain competitive.
Gaethje Must Adapt Fighting Style
The 37-year-old Whittaker, who held the UFC middleweight title from 2017 to 2019, has experience analyzing high-level matchups. He regularly breaks down fights on his podcast alongside fellow fighter Fab Cucciarin.
Gaethje has built his career on an aggressive, fan-friendly style that often involves trading heavy shots with opponents. That approach has earned him Fight of the Night bonuses and a devoted following.
However, Whittaker believes that same style could lead to disaster against Topuria. The Georgian-Spanish fighter has shown devastating knockout power and technical striking superiority in his UFC run.
Topuria currently holds the UFC featherweight championship and remains undefeated in his professional career. He has finished several top contenders with his precise striking and grappling skills.
Whittaker’s assessment suggests Gaethje needs to implement a more calculated game plan focused on range control. Fighting from distance would allow Gaethje to use his own striking without entering Topuria’s danger zone.
The matchup between Gaethje and Topuria has not been officially announced by the UFC. Gaethje holds the interim title following his UFC 324 victory, making him the logical next challenger for Topuria’s undisputed championship.
Whittaker’s analysis highlights the technical challenges Gaethje faces in his quest for undisputed gold. The former champion stressed that without major strategic changes, Gaethje will struggle against Topuria’s superior striking instincts and well-rounded skill set.
