Ilia Topuria remains without a confirmed return date, yet his next possible opponent is already generating attention across the MMA world. If a title unification bout with Justin Gaethje is finalized, early betting numbers suggest that the reigning champion would enter the fight with a clear advantage.
Interest in the matchup increased after Gaethje captured the interim lightweight title by defeating Paddy Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324. That result placed him directly in line to challenge Topuria, who currently holds the undisputed championship at 155 pounds.
Sportsbooks Set Early Expectations
Oddsmakers have already released opening numbers for the potential matchup. According to Betonline.ag, Topuria is listed as a minus 600 favorite. Gaethje, on the opposite side, has opened as a plus 400 underdog.
A wager of $100 on Topuria would return $116.67 if successful, producing a profit of $16.67. The same $100 bet placed on Gaethje would return $500 should he pull off the upset, highlighting the difference in expectations.
The fight has not yet been officially booked. However, UFC CEO Dana White previously stated that the winner of the UFC 324 main event was expected to face Topuria at a later date.
Topuria last competed in June at UFC 317, where he stopped Charles Oliveira with a knockout to claim the vacant lightweight championship. That victory extended his undefeated professional record and marked a successful transition into a new weight class.
Before moving up to lightweight, Topuria ruled the featherweight division. During his championship run, he earned knockout victories over Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, establishing himself as one of the most efficient finishers in the sport. Known as “El Matador,” Topuria has built a reputation for precision, timing, and composure inside the cage.
The champion has been inactive in recent months due to personal matters. He has suggested that a return sometime between April and June is realistic.
Gaethje earned the interim title with a unanimous decision victory over Pimblett after 5 competitive rounds. With the win, the 37 year old became the first fighter in UFC history to win 2 interim championships.
He has now secured victories in 4 of his last 5 fights and remains a fixture near the top of the lightweight division. Despite entering the potential matchup as the betting underdog, Gaethje’s experience and resilience remain central to his appeal as a challenger.
