Justin Gaethje set his sights on retirement following his victory last month. The lightweight star confirmed he has a clear timeline for the end of his career, but one major win could change his plans.
Gaethje’s next fight and career plans
‘The Highlight’ became a two-time interim titleholder recently, paving the way for a massive unification clash later this year. His next fight targets the UFC White House event, aligning with champion Ilia Topuria’s schedule. Before UFC 324 announced him as the main event, Gaethje issued a retirement ultimatum that put him in a challenging spot with the promotion. After waiting for a title shot, his decision paid off, and he shared how he wants to finish his career on his own terms.
Setting a retirement date
Gaethje told Zach Gelb he plans to retire by mid-2027. “There’s no doubt we’re towards the end but I don’t know,” he said. “I think by mid next year, 2027, I 100 percent will be done.” His coach, Trevor Wittman, revealed that UFC 324 could have been his last fight if he lost to Paddy Pimblett. Wittman emphasized that Gaethje’s health always comes first, and they were prepared for that possibility.
Learning from past defeats
Gaethje reflected on his loss to Max Holloway and admitted it helped him grow, though a similar defeat would signal it is time to step away. Despite this, he told Gelb that leaving the sport after a successful unification bout against Topuria would not be a foolish decision. “I would never state publicly that I’d be done after that but that would be a fight where if I accomplish that, if I am successful, then it would not be a dumb idea to not do it again,” he explained.
Facing Topuria with caution
Fans and experts have raised concerns about Gaethje’s approach against Ilia Topuria. Daniel Cormier warned him not to repeat the same aggressive style he used against Holloway. Gaethje admitted he underestimated the danger in that fight and made major mistakes, but he plans to adjust his strategy for ‘El Matador’. He argued that every opponent requires a different approach, and his fight plan will reflect Topuria’s unique challenges.
Gaethje’s career appears to be on a clear trajectory, yet one final triumph could allow him to exit the sport at its peak.
