“We’re in there to hurt each other. We’re not having a pillow fight... He won’t be physically the same after this fight. I will. I will be exactly the same. I’m going to put a beatdown on him like he’s never received”

– via UFC 324 media day interview, setting an ice cold tone for his clash with Justin Gaethje.

“It’s just like fighting Chandler again. That’s the way I’m looking at this. He’s got one way to catch me, and I’ve got about 50 different ways to finish him”

– via Applied Nutrition, comparing his UFC 324 opponent Justin Gaethje to his most recent victory

“Sad to say, but I think I’m gonna retire him”

– via an exclusive interview with ESPN UK (January 15, 2026), predicting the end of Justin Gaethje’s legendary career ahead of their UFC 324 interim title clash.

“I'll keep it on the feet with him. There's the blueprint to beat him — Max did it. You'll see, come January 24, when we have a perfect game plan and we finish him in three”

– via TNT Sports (January 13, 2026), revealing a shocking striking centric game plan for his UFC 324 interim title fight against Justin Gaethje.

“Ilia is very small compared to me. He's not that wide. There are weight classes for a reason. If he wants to fight me at 155, he'll seriously get messy on his face.”

– via UFC on TNT (January 13, 2026), doubling down on his size advantage over the undisputed lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria