Interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has an open invite from boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. to help him prepare for Ilia Topuria.
One of the most intriguing UFC fights of the year is just weeks away as Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje headlines the promotion’s upcoming White House card. UFC Freedom 250 also features the return of Alex Pereira against former interim UFC heavyweight champ Ciryl Gane, along with the returns of Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal, and Diego Lopes.
Topuria, regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in modern Mixed Martial Arts, returns to face Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout. He’s a significant favorite over Gaethje and has predicted a quick knockout of the UFC legend when they meet in the Octagon.
Topuria’s elite boxing could be the catalyst for another brutal finish in the Octagon against Gaethje. But Gaethje possesses some impressive hands, as he’s demonstrated in his career, and isn’t afraid of a firefight.
Weeks away from UFC Freedom 250, one of boxing’s all-time greats, Roy Jones Jr., wants to join Gaethje’s camp.
Roy Jones Jr. extends an open offer to Justin Gaethje to help prep for Ilia Topuria
In a recent interview with Grovesnor Casino, Jones shared a detailed breakdown of Topuria vs. Gaethje and how he could help Gaethje prepare for Topuria’s boxing-heavy style.
“How does Justin Gaethje deal with Ilia Topuria’s striking? He has to learn to take some power off the punch,” Jones said of Gaethje.
“Whether he rolls with it or blocks it a little bit, you’ve got to learn how to take the sting off that punch a little bit, so that you can then fire back and land yours at full velocity. Hitting and getting hit is not boxing; that’s fighting. If you want to do it in a boxing manner, the true definition of it is to hit and not get hit.
“Would I help Gaethje prepare? Of course I would,” Jones continued on Gaethje. “I’m not that kind of guy. I offer my help to anybody that believes in God. God gave me a gift, and you’re willing to pay me for my time, of course, I can give you any help you need.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Jones, 57, is regarded as one of the greatest boxers in the sport’s history. He won world titles in four different divisions and walked away with a 66-10 record, including 47 knockouts.
What is your prediction for Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje? Let us know in the comments!