I think prime Tony would've walked Ilia down after a rough early start, if you thought Gaethje's beatdown of Ilia was harsh just watch Tony-Gaethje (and that was 38 year old Tony after 2 weight cuts in the same month). Dude for sure had the chin to withstand Ilia's power especially when you consider Justin got slept by Max and Charles yet didn't get dropped by Topturo. His striking flaws would get exploited early by Ilia but by the late rounds Tony's pressure and ridiculous workrate would wear Ilia down. Tony's just too tough, durable and relentless.
It's either Ilia in the first round or the begging or Tony by dragging him through the deep waters before defeating him
