The UFC’s plan regarding the lightweight division is still currently unknown, but it could see the end of Justin Gaethje’s time in the promotion.
Earlier this year, the lightweight division crowned a new champion following the title vacation of Islam Makhachev, when Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317.
Since then, ‘El Matador’ has continued to tease a potential fight against Makhachev, despite the fact that the Russian has moved up to the welterweight division.
And that has somewhat left the 155lb division in an unknown position with lightweight contenders unsure whether they will get the chance to fight for the title.
One of which is longtime contender Justin Gaethje, who is coming off the back of a bounce back win against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313.
Gaethje’s manager warns he will stick by retirement threat
Following his win over Fiziev, ‘The Highlight’ stated that he wanted a lightweight title shot next, believing he is the deserved next contender.
Not only that, but Gaethje even gave a retirement ultimatum, stating that if he wasn’t granted a title fight for his next outing, he would retire from the sport.
That didn’t sit well with UFC boss, Dana White, who went on to tell Gaethje to retire, calling his retirement ultimatum ‘whacky’.
Since then, rumors have continued to surface that Topuria’s first lightweight title defense could come against Paddy Pimblett on the first numbered event of 2026, kicking off the UFC’s new deal with Paramount.
And with that, Gaethje’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has warned that if that is the case, the 36-year-old will stick to his word and retire from the sport.
“I think the UFC is waiting to see what happens with Islam and (Jack Della Maddalena). Also, I think the UFC is waiting to see what happens with Arman (Tsarukyan) and (Dan) Hooker,” Abdelaziz told Submission Radio.
“But, I’m telling you this, Justin Gaethje never breaks his word. If he gets jumped by Paddy, he will retire and he will never fight again in the UFC,” his manager warned.
“Justin Gaethje keeps giving the UFC favor after favor after favor, what has Paddy Pimblett done for the UFC to deserve a shot over Justin Gaethje?”
Ilia Topuria’s lofty ambitions could keep the lightweight division under hostage
Despite having not defended his 155lb title yet, Topuria has revealed that he wants a clash against Makhachev at the UFC White House event next year.
The Spaniard has claimed that he will move up to 170lbs to take on the Russian if he successfully beats Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.
However, at this point it is unclear whether the promotion will allow Topuria to move up immediately having not defended his title.