Newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje recently appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he discussed the possibility of retirement and a potential rematch against Ilia Topuria.
Gaethje won the undisputed 155-pound championship after defeating Topuria via technical knockout in the main event of the historic UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House.
In the bout, the American found his range early and landed clean jabs and uppercuts, eventually damaging both of Topuria’s eyes and forcing his corner to wave off the fight after four rounds.
Given that ‘The Highlight’ is now 37, many fans expected him to consider walking away from the sport after the bout, regardless of the result.
Speaking to Joe Rogan, Gaethje has shed light on his UFC future, as he stated:
“Right now I’m planning on [fighting again]. There’s not something natural in me that feels like it’s over.
[Ilia] doesn’t get a rematch. He can try but he doesn’t get one. He quit on the stool, I stopped him twice, what else do I have to do?
His next challenge can’t be me. He needs to fight Paddy or someone like that.”
Justin Gaethje claims Ilia Topuria wanted out after brutal damage
Gaethje’s reluctance to grant Topuria an immediate rematch is understandable. ‘El Matador’ has only one win at lightweight, which came against Charles Oliveira when he moved up from featherweight to capture the title.
A potential fight against Paddy Pimblett has been a long time in the making. Both fighters strongly dislike each other, and both are coming off losses to Gaethje. The winner of the potential matchup could earn an opportunity to rematch the champion at some point in the future.
In the same interview, Gaethje stated that he believes Topuria wanted to quit after the third round when he complained to his corner about not being able to see. According to the 37-year-old, Topuria tried to use the injury as an excuse to quit the fight. He said:
“He wanted out. You do not EVER as a fighter say ‘I can’t see’. He was counting on that.
I stopped him twice that night.”
Check out Justin Gaethje’s comments below:
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