Justin Gaethje all but confirms he won’t fight again in 2026 after historic UFC White House win

Justin Gaethje has said there’s a ‘very small chance’ he considers fighting again this year, let alone accepting another one.

‘The Highlight’ became the new UFC lightweight champion this past weekend by demolishing Ilia Topuria against all odds on the South Lawn of the White House.

Getty

Gaethje was a huge underdog heading into his 33rd professional MMA fight but left the previously undefeated Topuria black, blue, and barely recognisable after four rounds of action.

As Gaethje had openly discussed that Topuria marked his last chance to claim an undisputed UFC title in his career.

Questions about whether the 37-year-old will continue fighting have naturally followed.

The American was asked about retirement on Sunday after his victory, but revealed he had promised his mother not to make a decision on the night.

A report from MMA Junkie on Wednesday then confirmed Gaethje had been medically suspended for 180 days.

He joins three losers from the UFC White House card: Topuria, Alex Pereira, and Aiemann Zahabi.

This would leave Gaethje, who is reportedly waiting on MRIs on his right wrist and left knee, out of action until at least December.

Another Highlight?

But speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, ‘The Highlight’ all but confirmed he’s not going to be fighting again this year anyway.

“I already fought twice this year, and very rarely do you get me twice in one year,” Gaethje explained.

“So there’s a very, very, very small chance that I would ever consider fighting again this year [because of] what I put myself through.”

Getty

Getty

Speaking on how much the Topuria victory took out of him, he continued: “Every single time I fight, I feel the energy change in the whole arena, and I know it happens.

“I’ve been to so many fights – very rarely does that happen.

“But every single time I walk out, everybody knows they’re going to feel something they dream to feel on the night, and I’m going to give them that.”

Asked briefly about retiring, Gaethje responded: “My spirit will never retire, boys. I created that on Sunday.”

Who could Gaethje fight next?

Gaethje will certainly be on an all-time high this week, having also walked away with a mega $825,000 in bonuses following his UFC White House win.

He now holds the record for the most Fight of the Night bonuses, with 11, in UFC history.

Getty

If Gaethje decides to carry on and defend his new belt, his most likely next opponent is No. 2-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan.

Tsarukyan has already made it clear he was told he would fight the winner of Topuria vs Gaethje.

And Gaethje has already expressed his unwillingness to instantly rematch Topuria, as, in his own words, he ‘made him quit.’

Furthermore, Conor McGregor, who returns to the UFC on July 11, said on The Ariel Helwani Show this week that he fancies his chances against Gaethje, should he get past Max Holloway.