Newly minted UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has opened up about why fans won’t see him defend his title in 2026.
Gaethje first won the interim 155-pound title earlier this year at UFC 324, defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decison. After that, in June, at UFC Freedom 250, Gaethje locked horns with then-undefeated reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria to unify the belts.
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 14: Justin Gaethje reacts to the end of the round in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“The Highlight” entered the June 14 showdown as a massive underdog. Still, he flipped the script as the bout progressed and ended up dethroning Topuria to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.
Gaethje won in Round 4 via TKO (corner’s stoppage) after Topuria’s corner decided to stop the fight, with “El Matador” badly bloodied and both of his eyes swollen shut.
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 14: Justin Gaethje strikes Ilia Topuria of Spain in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
During a recent sitdown with Sports Illustrated, “The Highlight” revealed that he won’t compete again this year, as his hands are still not fully recovered after the Topuria slugfest, and Gaethje confirmed he still cannot “punch anything.”
“I still can’t punch anything. Both of my hands are still hurt from the fight. So I’m just gonna enjoy being the champion for the rest of the year because I fought two times already in the first six months.”
The 37-year-old added that he will discuss with his family and team about his UFC future and then make a decison on whether to compete or vacate and retire.
Although Topuria and team want an immediate title rematch, Justin Gaethje is not game to grant him one. The American UFC champ believes he made the Georgian-Spaniard quit 2 times on June 14 and therefore “El Matador” has work to do before another title shot.
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 14: Justin Gaethje strikes Ilia Topuria of Spain in the UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC Freedom 250 event on the South Lawn at the White House on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Gaethje also added during the same interview that if he is going to be sidelined for the rest of the year while recovering from his injuries, Topuria, who suffered a broken nose and two broken orbital bones during the June 14 fight, will also be out until next year.
“I guess if I’m not fighting until next year, he’s [Ilia Topuria] probably not gonna fight until next year too… I don’t think that’s [rematch with Ilia Topuria] my next fight. I don’t feel it in my gut.”
Check out Justin Gaethje’s comments below:
🚨 Justin Gaethje says his hands are STILL not fully recovered from the Ilia Topuria fight
He also doesn’t believe a rematch with Topuria will be next
(via @SInow) pic.twitter.com/jnrbrJyZkX
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 29, 2026
Who Will Justin Gaethje Face If He Returns in 2027?
If Justin Gaethje returns to make the first defense of his 155-pound strap in 2027, he’s expected to fight the winner of the UFC 331 co-main event: Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy.
Both Tsarukyan and Ruffy have confirmed that the UFC brass has told them that whoever wins will be the next lightweight title challenger.
🤯🏆 Mauricio Ruffy reveals the UFC told him he’ll get a “straight shot to the title” if he beats Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 331.
“The UFC have told me that this fight is a straight shot to the title, that’s why I accepted this fight on 30 days notice.”
(via @MMAFighting) pic.twitter.com/4sepwxb459
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) August 27, 2026