For Justin Gaethje, it’s all or nothing.
Now that the UFC as soon as once more has an undisputed light-weight world champion, courtesy of Ilia Topuria’s insane first-round knockout in opposition to Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, everybody desires to know who will get first crack on the newly minted titleholder.
Whereas followers are busy rallying across the thought of Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett following the pair’s viral face-off final month, UFC CEO Dana White appears to love the sound of a rematch between ‘El Matador’ and Max Holloway.
After which there’s Justin Gaethje, who, regardless of being 3-2 in his final 5, feels that he’s probably the most deserving of the bunch. And if the UFC doesn’t make good by giving him one other crack on the 155-pound crown, ‘The Spotlight’ is reportedly prepared to hold up his gloves for good.
“Justin isn’t bluffing,” Chael Sonnen mentioned on his YouTube channel whereas discussing Gaethje’s threats of retirement. “He mentioned if he doesn’t struggle for a title, that’s a difficulty for him.”
Gaethje’s most up-to-date look contained in the Octagon got here in October when he landed a unanimous choice win over Rafael Fiziev. It was his second time defeating Fiziev, the primary coming again in March 2023. In between these fights, Gaethje landed a highlight-reel head-kick KO in opposition to Dustin Poirier, profitable him the BMF title within the course of.
Gaethje went on to lose the BMF belt to Max Holloway at UFC 300.
The loss did little to harm Gaethje’s rating at 155, however now that ‘Blessed’ has formally moved up from featherweight to light-weight, the UFC could look to offer Holloway the shot at Topuria, main Gaethje to both sit out or stroll away from the game altogether.
