Justin Gaethje was tailor-made for Ilia Topuria—at least that's what his brother Aleksandre believes. With just over a month until one of the most anticipated nights in combat sports, the UFC White House event on the South Lawn is shaping up to be a historic showdown. In the main event, Gaethje aims to become the first fighter to defeat the undefeated Topuria for the undisputed lightweight title.

There's a growing buzz among MMA fans that Gaethje might be walking into a mismatch, with many viewing this as the twilight of his storied career. Meanwhile, the 29-year-old champion has been looking razor-sharp in camp—so sharp, in fact, that his teammates have asked him to dial it back. Expectations are sky-high, and the interim champ could be in for a long night.

Aleksandre Topuria, a UFC bantamweight contender and Ilia's brother, has once again been a cornerstone of his preparation. He's pinpointed the exact moment Gaethje is most vulnerable to a knockout. "One important thing: Justin Gaethje picks his shots when you stand in front of him," Aleksandre told Ilia during a recent training session. "When you stand here, like Michael Chandler did, with your leg way forward trying to dodge his uppercut, then he comes in with calf kicks. But when you stand a bit square, he comes in with uppercuts. If you show him you'll move your body forward, he'll want to start hitting you from here because he has long range."

Gaethje's reliance on the uppercut is well-documented. Even Tony Ferguson nearly capitalized on an overextended attempt during their fight. "He's very fragile when he hits," Aleksandre added. "But it's a double-edged sword to choose to hit him when he's hitting. So you've got to be very selective with your shots. When he hits is when he's most vulnerable."