It may be time to pump the brakes on the retirement tour of UFC favorite, Justin Gaethje, already.
Former interim and BMF champion Justin Gaethje has received a rather significant boost in his bid to fight for gold in his return to action later this year.
With his future at lightweight still in doubt, the Arizona striker has remained steadfast in his recent claim that it’s title fight or bust in his return to action.
And news this week of a potential return at UFC 319 this summer — sans title outing, would have come as unwanted.
But that has been firmly squashed already by Gaethje’s emerging rival in his pursuit of a fight with new kingpin Ilia Topuria.
Paddy Pimblett rules out UFC 319 return against Justin Gaethje
Leaked to fight the former interim titleholder at UFC 319, event headliner, Dricus du Plessis, claimed Pimblett was set to fight Gaethje in a huge co-main event showdown.
But attending UFC 317 over the weekend in the hope of earning his own fight with Topuria, Liverpool grappler, Pimblett has ruled out a return that soon in Chicago.
“Yous (sic) are mad if you think I’m fighting in August,” Paddy Pimblett posted on his X account in reaction to du Plessis’ claim.
And while a glimmer of hope emerges for Gaethje — who has been adamant he should fight for gold next, it seems Topuria has blinders on for a showdown against Pimblett still.
That’s even off the back of claims from Belal Muhammad that he would offer Topuria a fight — en route to a historic third title charge at welterweight.
Dana White urges Justin Gaethje to consider retirement regardless
A perennial fan-favorite, Gaethje’s apparent plans for retirement as relayed by his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, certainly caught the attention of UFC CEO Dana White.
Gushing over the promotion’s new star, Topuria, White claimed that Gaethje should likely consider hanging up his gloves for good. Especially if he’s going to play hardball over a shot at the lightweight crown.
“If you’re thinking about retiring, you know how I feel about that: You should probably retire,” White told media of Gaethje’s potential retirement after UFC 317.
“We love Justin Gaethje, and Justin Gaethje did step up. And he’s been an exciting, fun fighter to have here in the UFC.
“But to say, ‘Listen, unless you give me a title shot I’m retiring,’ that’s pretty wacky.”
Remaining on the UFC 313 card following the exit of foe, Dan Hooker, Gaethje would take on Rafael Fiziev on just weeks’ notice.
And scoring his second career win over the Tiger Muay Thai star, Gaethje kept his status as top-contender firmly intact.