UFC light-weight champion Justin Gaethje ‘planning’ to battle once more

Newly minted UFC light-weight champion Justin Gaethje says he’s “planning” on combating once more, tempering discuss of his attainable retirement, a minimum of in the intervening time.

“Proper now, I am planning on it [fighting again],” Gaethje mentioned throughout a taped interview on “The Joe Rogan Expertise” that was launched Saturday. “There’s not one thing pure in me that feels prefer it’s over.”

Gaethje outslugged Ilia Topuria final week in the primary occasion of UFC Freedom 250 held on the White Home, forcing the previous champion to give up on his stool after 4 rounds of a back-and-forth affair that resulted in Gaethje’s first undisputed UFC title.

If and when he does resolve to step again within the Octagon, Gaethje mentioned it will not be to run it again towards Topuria.

“He does not get a rematch. He can attempt, however he does not get one,” Gaethje mentioned. “He give up on the stool. He give up twice. I finished him twice. What else do I’ve to f—ing do? His subsequent problem cannot be me. He must battle Paddy [Pimblett] or somebody like that.”

As for whom Gaethje wish to face subsequent, he mentioned he has no explicit fighter in thoughts, together with Arman Tsarukyan, who’s No. 3 in ESPN’s light-weight divisional rankings behind Gaethje and Topuria.

“I can not say that I’ve a reputation,” Gaethje mentioned.

The light-weight division is wealthy with choices for Gaethje, together with former champion Charles Oliveira, who’s ranked No. 4 at 155 kilos and doesn’t have a battle booked the rest of 2026. Mauricio Ruffy, ranked No. 7, is coming off a dominating first-round stoppage of Michael Chandler on the White Home to formally stamp his contender standing.

Former two-division champion Conor McGregor and former featherweight champ Max Holloway are set to sq. off in a welterweight bout (170 kilos) at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11. The winner of that battle additionally could possibly be in play as Gaethje’s subsequent opponent.

McGregor and Gaethje have by no means met within the Octagon however would signify an enormous battle that will possible attraction to UFC brass and followers alike.

Holloway famously knocked out Gaethje for the “BMF” title at UFC 300 in 2024 after the pair brawled within the middle of the Octagon for the ultimate 10 seconds of the battle, leading to a spectacular end with one second remaining within the contest.

One must imagine Gaethje would a minimum of think about a rematch to actual revenge on Holloway, so long as Gaethje’s plans to proceed combating don’t change.