Justin Gaethje says Ilia Topuria is 'undersized' and should go back to featherweight

The UFC lightweight champion, who beat Topuria in June, says he cannot beat Arman Tsarukyan and would have a difficult time with Paddy Pimblett.

Justin Gaethje says Ilia Topuria will never win the lightweight title again and would have a difficult time with England's Paddy Pimblett.

Gaethje, who stopped Topuria in the fourth round at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on 14 June, told Andrew Schulz's Flagrant podcast that his former rival belongs a division lower.

"I don't think he's a lightweight. I think he should go down. I think he could beat Volkanovski, be champion at featherweight. I don't think he'll ever be champion at lightweight... Well, he can't beat Arman. He's gonna have a difficult time with Paddy... I think he's undersized for lightweight."

Topuria won the featherweight title from Alexander Volkanovski in 2024 before moving up. He said last week that he had been medically cleared to begin training.

Arman Tsarukyan is next in line for Gaethje's title after knocking out Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, but Gaethje said on the same podcast that he is weighing retirement. Pimblett has already had his say on Tsarukyan: Paddy Pimblett sees weaknesses in Arman Tsarukyan.