Justin Gaethje has decided on his next step: either face Arman Tsarukyan or retire.
The UFC lightweight champion believes he still has what it takes to compete with top-level fighters, as demonstrated by his unforgettable performance against Ilia Topuria in his last fight. However, recent updates from Gaethje’s team have been less encouraging. He is currently managing multiple injuries that must heal before he can return to the octagon, leaving uncertainty about whether he will fight again at all.
Talk of retirement has become frequent surrounding Gaethje as the lightweight division waits for clarification on his future. He has confirmed that if he chooses to come back, Arman Tsarukyan is the opponent he wants next.
“I think it’s natural and obvious that UFC will want to identify the next challenger,” Gaethje said. “Arman just had a huge fight and an impressive finish, so he’s clearly on everyone’s radar as the next contender.”
“If I were physically able and willing to fight this year, the matchup would be scheduled for the end of the year,” he added.
However, a return to the cage in the near future appears unlikely. After his victory at UFC Freedom 250 nearly four months ago, Gaethje revealed he needs time to recover from injuries sustained over his last two bouts.
He explained, “I have injuries that need healing—specifically, a severe bone bruise in my knee. Bone bruises can be more painful and longer lasting than broken bones, especially since training repeatedly aggravates it, which delays recovery. I need to take time off from training to ensure proper healing.”
Gaethje sees two possible paths once healed: retirement or a comeback against Tsarukyan.
“If you had to write it down, those are probably the two scenarios—either retiring or fighting Tsarukyan next,” he said. “But I take it one day at a time. Honestly, I don’t know what’s next.”
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Fan Take: This update is crucial for fight fans because Gaethje is one of the most exciting and relentless competitors in the UFC’s lightweight division. Whether he retires or returns to face Tsarukyan, his decision will significantly impact the division’s landscape and could shape the next wave of thrilling matchups in the sport.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
