Jon Jones saw Ilia Topuria as likely next greatest before Justin Gaethje loss

Jon Jones said he regarded Ilia Topuria as invincible before the UFC White House card, where Justin Gaethje stopped the unbeaten two-division champion in the fourth round.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Wed 21 Oct, 22:16 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Jon Jones has said Ilia Topuria was the fighter he saw as most likely to one day take his place as the greatest of all time in mixed martial arts, until Justin Gaethje ended the former lightweight champion's unbeaten run.

Topuria went into the UFC White House card as a two-division champion with wins over several future UFC Hall of Famers. Gaethje stopped him in the fourth round to take the title.

Jones, who is widely regarded as the sport's greatest, said he had considered Topuria invincible before that fight. He said part of him wants other fighters to beat his records and become the next greatest, while another part wants to hold on to that status for his child's sake and his family's honour.

The defeat has not changed his view of Topuria. Jones said he is a fan of Topuria's boxing, power and confidence, and of how he carries himself away from fighting. He said: “He comes from a successful family and he’s a guy who doesn’t have to fight, he doesn’t need the money but he does it out of love and those are the reasons that made me a big Ilia fan.” Jones and Topuria share a manager, and Jones said he has heard that Topuria is doing everything needed to return to winning ways. He expects him to bounce back, and said: “His recovery, all of it, he’s a guy who deserves to win.”

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Ilia Topuria Justin Gaethje