Newly minted UFC light-weight champion Justin Gaethje has opened up about why followers gained’t see him defend his title in 2026.
Gaethje first gained the interim 155-pound title earlier this yr at UFC 324, defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decison. After that, in June, at UFC Freedom 250, Gaethje locked horns with then-undefeated reigning light-weight champion Ilia Topuria to unify the belts.
“The Spotlight” entered the June 14 showdown as an enormous underdog. Nonetheless, he flipped the script because the bout progressed and ended up dethroning Topuria to develop into the undisputed UFC light-weight champion.
Gaethje gained in Spherical 4 by way of TKO (nook’s stoppage) after Topuria’s nook determined to cease the struggle, with “El Matador” badly bloodied and each of his eyes swollen shut.
Throughout a latest sitdown with Sports Illustrated, “The Spotlight” revealed that he gained’t compete once more this yr, as his arms are nonetheless not absolutely recovered after the Topuria slugfest, and Gaethje confirmed he nonetheless can’t “punch something.”
“I nonetheless can’t punch something. Each of my arms are nonetheless harm from the struggle. So I’m simply gonna get pleasure from being the champion for the remainder of the yr as a result of I fought two instances already within the first six months.”
The 37-year-old added that he’ll talk about together with his household and workforce about his UFC future after which make a decison on whether or not to compete or vacate and retire.
Though Topuria and workforce need an instantaneous title rematch, Justin Gaethje will not be recreation to grant him one. The American UFC champ believes he made the Georgian-Spaniard give up 2 instances on June 14 and subsequently “El Matador” has work to do earlier than one other title shot.
Gaethje additionally added throughout the identical interview that if he’s going to be sidelined for the remainder of the yr whereas recovering from his accidents, Topuria, who suffered a damaged nostril and two damaged orbital bones through the June 14 struggle, will even be out till subsequent yr.
“I suppose if I’m not combating till subsequent yr, he’s [Ilia Topuria] most likely not gonna struggle till subsequent yr too… I don’t assume that’s [rematch with Ilia Topuria] my subsequent struggle. I don’t really feel it in my intestine.”
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Who Will Justin Gaethje Face If He Returns in 2027?
If Justin Gaethje returns to make the primary protection of his 155-pound strap in 2027, he’s anticipated to struggle the winner of the UFC 331 co-main occasion: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy.
Each Tsarukyan and Ruffy have confirmed that the UFC brass has instructed them that whoever wins would be the subsequent light-weight title challenger.
