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A former UFC fan favorite believes Ilia Topuria might want to think twice if offered an immediate rematch with Justin Gaethje.

Play-by-play commentator Jon Anik turned some heads recently when he shared his belief that there is “strong consideration” within the UFC brass to book Gaethje vs. Topuria 2. Gaethje handed Topuria his first pro MMA loss in brutal fashion at the conclusion of UFC Freedom 250. “El Matador” suffered fractures in both his orbital bones on his way to a TKO loss after he didn’t get off his stool for the final round.

In the process, Topuria also lost the UFC Lightweight Championship. Some feel the loss was devastating enough that an immediate rematch would be a bad idea. While Matt Brown doesn’t think it’s a bad idea for business, he took to MMAFighting‘s “The Fighter vs. The Writer” to caution Topuria before he accepts his return fight.

“I get where the UFC is coming from. I get where the UFC would want to make that fight,” Brown said. “The downside of that fight, you might ruin Ilia Topuria’s life. If that first fight repeats itself, I’m not sure Ilia comes back the same. I’m not sure he comes back from the first one already. If you actually care about Ilia’s life, you need to put him in there with someone like a [Renato] Moicano.

“He needs a proper return fight, in my opinion. You see this in boxing all the time. Guys don’t come back from wars like that and go try again unless it’s like [Arturo] Gatti and [Micky] Ward. It’s pretty rare that these type of fights get rebooked and it happens right away. You’ve got to rebuild it back up and give the guy a tuneup when you come off a loss.”

Gaethje has said that he’d rather not fight Topuria next. “The Highlight” is more interested in seeking revenge against Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, or even a fresh matchup against Arman Tsarukyan, who is scheduled to meet Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on Sept. 19. Gaethje doesn’t believe Topuria should get an immediate rematch after quitting on his stool.

Do you think Ilia Topuria needs a different fight before considering the rematch with Justin Gaethje? Sound off in the comments below.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM