Justin Gaethje recently revealed his vision for the concluding chapter of his fighting career, emphasizing his desire for a title shot against Ilia Topuria in his upcoming bout, followed by a potential BMF title showdown with Max Holloway. This plan represents Gaethje’s strategic approach to finish his career on a high note.
Following Gaethje’s victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 in March, many expected the fiery striker to secure the next lightweight championship fight. Instead, the UFC booked Charles Oliveira against the newcomer Ilia Topuria for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 318 last month, leaving Gaethje sidelined from the title contention.
Feeling overlooked, Gaethje expressed his frustration and hinted at retirement should he not receive the next title opportunity. In a recent interview with ESPN MMA, he clarified his ideal endgame scenario, stating:
“The best case scenario, the best chapter of my book. If it happens, I will believe this is a simulation – I beat Topuria this year, defend it against Holloway on the White House lawn, and retire with the BMF and the championship belt. There’s no better way for me to write it, but I’m a little biased.”
— Justin Gaethje, UFC Fighter
Ilia Topuria Questions the Appeal of a Fight Against Gaethje
Despite Gaethje’s eagerness for a title fight with Ilia Topuria, the lightweight champion does not consider a matchup between them to be particularly compelling for fans. The Georgian-Spanish fighter recently expressed that the division needs fresh challengers rather than established names like Gaethje.
After his title win at UFC 317, Topuria commented on Gaethje as a potential opponent, emphasizing the importance of introducing new talent to the division:
“I don’t think we have anyone else in the division. Fighting against Justin Gaethje, I don’t think that’s going to be something exciting for the fans. We need new blood in the division. We need new faces, new guys that come hungrier than the guys that we are used to seeing in the past, like Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, or the other guys. I want to bring new faces to the game.”
— Ilia Topuria, UFC Lightweight Champion
Context and Implications for Gaethje’s Career
Gaethje’s quest for a final title run reflects both his competitive spirit and his awareness of his own legacy. After the UFC’s decision to prioritize other fighters for the lightweight belt, Gaethje’s willingness to retire adds a layer of tension to his next career moves. His proposed final fights are designed to secure championship gold while also capturing the fan-driven, rugged appeal of the BMF title through a showdown with Holloway.
Whether the UFC grants Gaethje his title opportunity against Topuria or moves forward with fresh contenders remains a pivotal question. Gaethje’s announced plan heightens anticipation around his next fight and intensifies speculation about how he might conclude one of the most electrifying careers in mixed martial arts history.