Gaethje plans to fight again, denies Topuria rematch
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- Justin Gaethje said he is "planning" on fighting again during a taped interview on "The Joe Rogan Experience" released Saturday, adding: "There's not something natural in me that feels like it's over."
- Gaethje captured the UFC lightweight title last week by outslugging Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House, forcing Topuria to quit on his stool after four rounds.
- Gaethje shut down talk of a Topuria rematch, stating: "He doesn't get a rematch. He quit on the stool. He quit twice. I stopped him twice, what else do I have to f---ing do?"
- Gaethje said he has no particular fighter in mind for his next bout, declining to single out No. 3-ranked Arman Tsarukyan and suggesting Topuria's next fight should be against Paddy Pimblett.
- Charles Oliveira (No. 4) is available with no fight booked for the rest of 2026, and Mauricio Ruffy (No. 7) is coming off a first-round stoppage of Michael Chandler at the White House to stamp his contender status.
- Conor McGregor and Max Holloway are set to square off at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11, and the winner could draw Gaethje — a revenge angle given Holloway's last-second BMF-title knockout of Gaethje at UFC 300 in 2024.
Why it matters: By publicly denying Topuria a rematch, Gaethje forecloses the most obvious next fight and leaves UFC brass weighing a marketable McGregor showdown or a revenge bout against Holloway, who knocked out Gaethje for the BMF title at UFC 300 in 2024 with one second remaining.
