UFC champion Justin Gaethje remains uncertain he’ll fight again after stellar 2026
· Yahoo Sports
The UFC lightweight division is arguably the deepest, most talented weight class in all of MMA. A new champion was crowned in 2026, as Justin Gaethje finally won undisputed gold on his third attempt.
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At 37, Gaethje pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, beating two-time weight champion Ilia Topuria in dominant fashion via fourth-round TKO. Gaethje was clinical, walking Topuria down with huge punches and battering his face.
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The performance was the best of Gaethje’s career. Now a champion, Gaethje is a superstar and clearly can still fight at an elite level. That said, the question is whether he’ll fight at all.
After the fight, Gaethje said he promised his mother he wouldn’t decide the same night as the fight. It’s now been over 3 months since the fight, and there still isn’t a clear decision.
Justin Gaethje hasn’t decided what he’ll do next
Jun 14, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) celebrates after winning the UFC Freedom 250 fight against Ilia Topuria. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)On Andrew Schulz’s “Flagrant” podcast, Gaethje discussed a range of UFC topics. The 155-pound champion discussed his last foe, Ilia Topuria; No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan; and his future in the UFC.
Gaethje’s quotes on his future are as follows.
I do not feel like I have anything else to prove. My first fight was in ’08; I’m 37 years old. Everyone’s like, ‘You f—ing fight, Arman.’ I have injuries I have to take care of; I haven’t made a decision.”
“This has never been about money for me. It’s about health. I know that I also just perform better than I’ve ever performed, so I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
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Gaethje’s clearly adamant about his uncertainty about whether he’ll fight again, but there’s clearly more left in the tank.
Justin Gaethje retiring still feels unlikely
Jun 14, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) fights Ilia Topuria (red gloves) during the UFC Freedom 250 at the White House South Lawn. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Would it be a fairy-tale ending to retire after winning the lightweight strap on the White House lawn? Of course. However, Gaethje still can compete with the best in the world and will make absurd money, especially now that he’s defending his title.
Gaethje also said that he’s “going to make a business decision, and a life decision whenever the time comes.” As far as business goes, there’s no better business than headlining a numbered event in the first quarter of 2027.
Arman Tsarukyan is also a massive star now, becoming more popular with younger audiences as he ventures into the streaming world. So it’s not like Gaethje is carrying the build-up to his next fight; he’s got an opponent who will sell as well.
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