UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17-0) is pushing his sparring partners during his training camp in Miami to their limits.
Topuria is currently in preparation to headline the UFC White House show on June 14, as he will defend his belt against interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. As evidence by the footage below, the champion’s ruthless pace has led several training partners to explicitly request he “go softer,” with one reminding him, “We’re not Justin [Gaethje]” after absorbing a series of heavy shots. Topuria’s power earned him the vacant lightweight title against Charles Oliveira, as he knocked out the latter in the first round at UFC 317 last June.
Ilia Topuria’s sparring partners had to tell him to chill out 💀
“Go a little softer. You’re a gazelle. He thinks Justin’s in front of him. We’re not Justin.” pic.twitter.com/j4SUZFVtAY
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) April 26, 2026
“Go a little softer, you’re a gazelle. I don’t even notice when I pick up the pace.“He’s so heated he thinks Justin’s in front of him, we’re not Justin. His hands have real power behind them,” sparring partner
“He kept telling me to slow down but I swear I don’t feel it,” Topuria