Gaethje takes personal shot at Topuria's divorce ahead of UFC White House main event

Justin Gaethje has taken aim at Ilia Topuria’s personal life in a Fox Sports Australia interview, making a thinly veiled reference to the undisputed lightweight champion’s divorce as their June 14 showdown at the UFC White House event approaches.

Asked about Topuria’s personality, Gaethje — who holds the interim 155-pound title — did not hold back. “I would leave him. That’s all I’m saying. I would leave him. No way I would put up with his s—t,” he said, alluding to Topuria’s split from ex-wife Giorgina Uzcategui. That divorce led to a lawsuit that kept Topuria sidelined; he has not competed since June 2025.

Gaethje used the opportunity to draw a broader comparison between Topuria and Paddy Pimblett, the British contender he defeated by five-round decision in the UFC 324 headliner on January 24 to claim the interim lightweight crown. For Gaethje, both fighters share a self-belief that borders on arrogance.

“It was similar with Paddy Pimblett. He was so full of himself,” Gaethje said. “It can be so detrimental to approach life that way, thinking you’re better than everybody else, because nobody is better than anyone. We’re all children of God. You’re a product of your circumstances at the end of the day.”

Gaethje framed his own outlook in explicitly religious terms, crediting humility and faith for his longevity in the sport. “I’ve promised countless times to my Lord and Savior that I will never disappoint him. Or that I won’t ever think I’m better than anything or anybody. That’s how I got here. That’s how I’ve resonated with people.”

Beyond the verbal sparring, Gaethje has also been preparing for the unique physical demands of an outdoor event in Washington D.C. in mid-June. UFC CEO Dana White has flagged a potential insect problem, while commentator Joe Rogan raised concerns about heat-induced dehydration for fighters competing outside.

Gaethje is unbothered by the bugs. “When I’m fighting I don’t even notice all the people inside the arena,” he said. “I’m so cerebral that time isn’t even really a factor, either. So if time isn’t a factor, bugs won’t be. And no matter what the variables are in there, he’ll have to face the same things that I do.”

The heat, however, is something he is actively accounting for in training. “A lot of my workouts have been designed around fighting outside,” Gaethje confirmed, though he did not elaborate further on the specifics of his preparation.

Topuria returns to action for the first time in roughly a year when the two meet on June 14, with the undisputed lightweight title on the line.