Ilia Topuria isn't backing down from the challenge, and he's making it clear that Justin Gaethje's wrestling—or lack thereof—won't be a surprise.

Gaethje is known for his relentless pressure and knockout power, rarely relying on his wrestling once the cage door closes. That's exactly the opening Topuria's camp believes they can exploit. They see gaps when Gaethje pushes forward with heavy shots, leaving himself vulnerable to counters and takedowns.

But Gaethje has built a reputation on breaking opponents with his volume and toughness. Few have survived his pressure and still come out on top. Still, Topuria's team has been preparing for every scenario—including the possibility that Gaethje might finally lean on his wrestling as a backup plan.

In a recent training video, Topuria reacted with genuine surprise after seeing Gaethje working on his grappling. "Wrestling?!" he said, laughing at the sight. It's not what fans are used to seeing from "The Highlight," but it's clear he's adding new layers to his game.

Gaethje's coach, Trevor Cherrington, acknowledged the shift. "Like I've said in past camps, Justin doesn't utilize his wrestling in an offensive manner usually, but we want to make sure it's in his back pocket if he needs it," Cherrington explained. "We saw that in the Paddy fight—he used it in spots, and that's the end goal technically."

If Gaethje does take the fight to the mat, Topuria won't be caught off guard. The champion built his early UFC reputation as a grappling specialist before becoming known for his striking power. With eight submission wins on his record, Topuria is more than comfortable on the ground.

This matchup is shaping up to be a chess match between two fighters with contrasting styles—one who thrives in chaos, and another who's ready for anything. Whether it stays on the feet or hits the mat, Topuria is confident he has the answers.