Eddie Alvarez: Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria rematch could be disaster for UFC

If there's one matchup Eddie Alvarez doesn't want to see next for the UFC lightweight title he once held, it's a rematch between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria.

After Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) brutalized Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) en route to a corner stoppage at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in June, momentum about an immediate rematch has began to pick up in recent weeks.

Lead UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik recently revealed he's heard "internal conversations" are taking place about running the 155-pound title fight back. Then, on Wednesday, UFC CEO Dana White expressed excitement about Topuria facing Gaethje again, as well as mentioning a potential clash with Paddy Pimblett (24-4 MMA, 8-1 UFC).

Alvarez, who gave Gaethje his first career loss by third-round knockout at UFC 218 in December 2017, is firmly against the idea of Topuria being placed in that position after taking such an emphatic defeat less than three months ago.

"No (there shouldn't be a rematch)," Alvarez told MMA Junkie. "He beat the sh*t out of him. If someone beats the sh*t out of you, you don't get a rematch. It needs to be close. He beat the sh*t out of him. You don't get a rematch. You have to at least fight another guy. That was bad. I could see the UFC wanting to crown Topuria. They want that whole market. The guy's a big deal and he makes a lot of money and he can make a lot of money for the company. But it could be a disaster for the UFC. Giving him that other shot, Justin and Trevor (Wittman) kind of got his number, and he's not just going to go in and forget about what just happened.

"His brain is still going to suffer a form of PTSD where it's not going to be able to go. There's going to be a governor on certain things like, 'Woah, wait a minute.' He's not going to be that same exact Ilia Topuria he was before Justin beat the sh*t out of him. I think he needs to take on a lesser opponent, build up that confidence again and come back and renew his faith in what he can do. Don't just go away. Even if he thinks, 'I'm over that.' Your brain is still heavily on that especially considering the amount of damage."

Alvarez's fears about the potential physical consequences for Topuria is his foremost concern about the potential rematch. Another loss would not only further diminish his value as one of the UFC's key draws, but it would push him out of the title picture for the foreseeable future. On the flip side, he doesn't see where Gaethje benefits for agreeing to that, and from everything "The Highlight" has said so far, he wouldn't.

Gaethje has said several times since UFC Freedom 250 that Topuria will absolutely not be his next opponent. There's always the chance UFC could change his mind with financial incentives, but Alvarez said even that might not be enough.

"I don't like that idea," Alvarez said. "What's in it for Justin? They better give him $10 million, $15 million, $20 million dollars. If I'm Justin, I'm going, 'I'm going to need $15 million or $20 million to fight that guy. There's zero to gain.' If it's not money, there's zero to gain. It wasn't close and he's at the mountain top. It's everything to gain for Topuria. There's nothing for Justin there.

"If I'm Justin I retire before I fight Ilia again. I'm not sh*tting on Justin, but Justin is getting older. You can't go backwards. You really need to select your opponents properly and you can't just fight to fight, especially when you're older. It needs to be deeper than that, there has to be a lot of meaning behind it. It can't just be for money. There needs to be meaning behind it and invoke your ego and get your competitive drive in order."

Alvarez simply can't get behind the rematch, especially because he sees clear alternative options for both Gaethje and Topuria that are more logical at this time.

"I think the next thing for Justin is going to be (Mauricio) Ruffy or Arman (Tsarukyan) – that's the realistic opponent," Alvarez said. "Let's say (Topuria) beats Paddy, then after that you can talk about maybe fighting Justin again or something like that."

To hear more from Alvarez, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Eddie Alvarez: Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria rematch could be 'disaster for UFC'