Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje: A Closer Look at Their Stats and Strategic Advantages for the UFC 'White House' Showdown

THE UFC’s White House card is just days away.

The leader will host a once-in-a-lifetime sporting event in the shadow of the Oval Office on Sunday night, going into Monday morning.

The UFC will host a historic card at the White House this weekend Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK Credit: GETTY

President has permitted the promotion to stage an eight-fight card on the South Lawn of the White House grounds.

And the have given the honour of headlining the card, which has been named UFC Freedom 250 as part of America’s celebration of its 250th anniversary of independence, to one of their biggest active stars.

Topping the list of the Presidential punch-ups will be the return of fan favourite and former pound-for-pound king Ilia Topuria.

Topuria hasn’t set foot inside the octagon since he in their lightweight title showdown last June to become a two-division champion.

Ilia Topuria hasn’t fought since decimating Charles Oliveira last June Credit: REUTERS Justin Gaethje beat down Paddy Pimblett in their interim lightweight title fight in January Credit: AP

Welcoming ‘El Matador’ back to the cage will be fellow fan favourite .

The pair will throw down in an eagerly anticipated lightweight title unification bout.

Gaethje earned his crack at Topuria with a one-sided beatdown of beloved Brit Paddy Pimblett in January.

And with the historic main event just days away, SunSport thought it’d be only right to break down the bout.

Age

Father Time is well and truly on Topuria’s side.

The Georgian-born Spaniard has yet to reach his physical prime for MMA as he’s still just 29 years old.

Gaethje, meanwhile, is very much on the tail end of his Indian summer at the age of 37.

Ilia Topuria is EIGHT YEARS younger than Justin Gaethje Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK

Physical

While youth is on the side of Topuria, he gives away several physical advantages to Gaethje.

Human ‘Highlight’ reel Gaethje is FOUR INCHES taller than Topuria.

And he also boasts a one-inch reach advantage, which will bode him well as he attempts to keep the powerhouse puncher on the outside.

Justin Gaethje will boast height and reach advantages over Ilia Topuria Credit: ALAMY

Experience and record

When it comes to the battle of experience, Gaethje well and truly comes out on top.

The Arizonan has nearly as many fights as years he’s been on this planet.

Gaethje has made the walk to the cage 32 times, coming out victorious on 27 occasions.

And he has a whopping 74 PER CENT KO percentage, having won 20 of his fights via stoppage.

Topuria’s record, meanwhile, is flawless. Seventeen men have tried and failed to beat the fan favourite.

He has an incredible 88 PER CENT finish percentage, having won seven of his professional bouts via knockout and eight via submission.

The last man to take Topuria the distance was former interim featherweight title challenger Josh Emmett, who was , in June 2023.