As the lightweight division heats up, Justin Gaethje has intensified his push for a title shot against the new champion Ilia Topuria. After winning three of his last four fights, Gaethje believes he has earned the opportunity, citing promises made by the prior champion’s team. However, Arman Tsarukyan, ranked No. 2 in the lightweight rankings, insists Gaethje must defeat him first before challenging Topuria for the belt.

Tsarukyan, who has been a long-standing contender in the division, is determined to prove himself against Topuria, rejecting the idea that Gaethje should leapfrog him for a title opportunity. Gaethje, known as “Highlight,” has expressed frustration about being used primarily for entertaining bouts rather than being given a shot at the gold, making it clear he expects a fight with Topuria next or he may consider retirement.

Rising Contention in the Lightweight Division: Tsarukyan Challenges Gaethje’s Title Claim

Justin Gaethje’s recent performances, including a near-finish over Rafael Fiziev in their UFC 313 rematch, have fueled his argument for a title shot. Known for his excitement-packed style and nine “Fight of the Night” honors, Gaethje has built a strong reputation as a reliable top contender. Still, Arman Tsarukyan challenges the validity of Gaethje’s claim to the title fight.

Tsarukyan points out the timing and circumstances of Gaethje’s wins, especially highlighting that Fiziev accepted their fight on very short notice. He argues this diminishes Gaethje’s claim to an immediate title shot, emphasizing that Gaethje’s loss to Max Holloway prior to his victory over Fiziev also weighs against him in the rankings.

“Of course, I want Islam [next]. But like right now, uh, it makes sense…to fight with uh, Gaethje, because he’s coming, coming…[off]He just beat number 11 or 12 Fiziev. He, ah, doesn’t deserve title fight [based on that]…That’s 100% because he lost just…[before] to Holloway…He beat on short notice. He beat uh, the…beat Fiziev on short notice, sure…Fiziev knew about the fight five days and came and uh, he won him barely decision. And now he’s talking about title fight. Uh, it’s not fair. And that’s why I think he got to beat me to deserve fight for the title.”

—Arman Tsarukyan, Lightweight Contender

Adding to this viewpoint, ESPN analyst and coach Din Thomas has weighed in, agreeing that Gaethje’s knockout loss to Holloway diminished his immediate title prospects. Many insiders consider Holloway, who has also faced Topuria, a more logical contender due to his consistent profile and competitive history.

Gaethje’s recent victory over Fiziev came under special circumstances, with Fiziev stepping in on short notice. Tsarukyan, meanwhile, holds a decision win over former title challenger Charles Oliveira, making a strong case for his position as a legitimate contender. Prior to an injury withdrawal at UFC 311, Tsarukyan himself was viewed as a leading candidate for the lightweight championship opportunity.

Gaethje’s Pressure and Tsarukyan’s Demand: A Roadmap to the Title Fight

Gaethje has publicly stated that he could retire if he is not granted a title shot next, putting the UFC brass under pressure. Yet Tsarukyan maintains that Gaethje must accumulate more wins against top contenders, likely including Tsarukyan himself, before he is worthy of facing Topuria. Tsarukyan has expressed willingness to climb the rankings again after his own setbacks and is prepared to face Gaethje on the path to the title.

“[Gaethje] talking about title fight, it’s not fair. I think he needs to beat me to deserve fight for the title.”

—Arman Tsarukyan, Lightweight Challengers

This insistence underscores the tension in the lightweight division, where multiple fighters are vying for supremacy. Gaethje’s ultimatum to retire has drawn skepticism from many UFC insiders, as weight is given to rankings, recent performances, and promotional considerations for title shots.

The Debate Over Gaethje’s Retirement Ultimatum and Title Prospects

Despite Gaethje’s track record of three wins out of four recent fights, including a high-profile win after a UFC 300 knockout loss, his threat to walk away if not granted a gold shot has created a contentious debate. Gaethje has acknowledged Tsarukyan and Holloway as key players in this contested field but insists his contributions to UFC events and reliability should earn him a title opportunity.

The fighter’s management and close associates, including his team and prominent representative Ali Abdelaziz, have reinforced his position that fighting for the lightweight title is a non-negotiable condition to continue competing. UFC President Dana White has downplayed these demands, dismissing them as unreasonable, while commentator Daniel Cormier has cautioned against such a definitive ultimatum.

“It sounds [to me] like he’s more than willing now to stand by that and be done…that would suck; MMA is better when Justin Gaethje is fighting. We just had to watch Dustin Poirier retire last weekend and that absolutely sucked…[Now] We have to walk away from Justin Gaethje, too? Justin seems very, very stern in the idea that if he has to fight Paddy Pimblett, and that’s the only option, he’s not going to do it…I don’t know that it’s going to make the UFC say, ‘We have to give Justin Gaethje a title fight.’ I don’t know that they’re going to do that, especially when you go through all the things that Arman has a case, Paddy has a case.”

—Daniel Cormier, UFC Broadcaster and Former Champion

Cormier highlights that fighters like Paddy Pimblett, who recently scored an impressive third-round TKO over Michael Chandler and earned a “Fight of the Year” contender bout, also present strong claims for a title chance. Pimblett’s ongoing rivalry and intense exchanges with Topuria position him as a highly marketable challenger, possibly more so than the respectful and reserved Gaethje.

In a recent media event, Ilia Topuria suggested that either Pimblett or Gaethje could be next in line for a title shot, but the debate continues as rankings and recent performances are scrutinized by UFC officials and fans alike. Cormier’s assessment implies that relying on singular wins or retirement threats does not guarantee a leap to the front of the title queue.

Lightweight Contenders’ Status and What’s Next for the Division

Besides Gaethje and Tsarukyan, the lightweight division includes prominent names such as Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, both of whom have earned respect and recent title contention opportunities. With Ilia Topuria now holding the championship, the challenge is to determine who will receive the next high-stakes fight.

Tsarukyan, reflecting on his previous standing and recent recovery from a UFC 311 weigh-in withdrawal, is eager to reestablish his position near the top. His argument that Gaethje must defeat him before earning a title shot presents a clear hurdle and amplifies the competition among contenders.

Meanwhile, Gaethje’s insistence on fighting for the championship as his final meaningful match raises questions about the UFC’s response to such ultimatums. Should the promotion prioritize ranking integrity and recent performances, or capitulate to a fighter of Gaethje’s drawing power and veteran status? The next months will be pivotal in settling these disputes.

As lightweight fans await official announcements, this battle over top contention highlights the division’s depth and the challenge of managing high-profile fighters with diverging demands. The outcome will shape not only the immediate title picture but also the future trajectories of these elite athletes.