Justin Gaethje anticipates eventually headlining an event at the White House, although he admits it won’t happen immediately. Known as ‘The Highlight,’ Gaethje seems to have earned a third opportunity to claim the undisputed lightweight championship following his impressive victory at UFC 324 in January.
In his first main event of the Paramount era, Gaethje triumphed over Paddy Pimblett in a five-round battle in Las Vegas, securing the interim lightweight title for a second time. For American fans, a unification bout against Ilya Topuria appears to be the logical next step. However, Gaethje might not be the sole contender when the Spanish fighter returns from his break.
Before Topuria announced his hiatus to handle personal matters outside the Octagon, there was speculation he could face welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. ‘El Matador’ has expressed his ambition to become the UFC’s first fighter to hold titles in three divisions, and Makhachev seems prepared to give Topuria that shot at one of 2026’s marquee events.
In a recent conversation with Telegraf Sport, Makhachev welcomed the prospect of facing Topuria, who made his comeback in June at the White House event. “I like the idea,” Makhachev stated. “If the UFC wants it, I’m ready.”
Gaethje, however, believes the UFC is obligated to book a fight with Topuria. Despite Makhachev’s openness to a potential clash, Gaethje remains focused on his own path, confident in his recent win and eager for the unification bout. “Ilia Topria is on the White House card. It has to happen. There’s no other choice,” Gaethje told The Pat McAfee Show.
“I walked out of the Oval Office, raised the flag, and stepped into the cage. I’ve been envisioning this since my fight against Rafael Fiziev last year. I expected to fight Topuria in January and then defend the belt in June at the White House. But things change, and you can’t control everything. Ilia has taken a step back due to personal matters, so I’m still able to fight for the interim title. That keeps me champion on paper and positions me to face Ilia Topuria at the White House in June,” he explained.
Fan Take: This saga highlights the dynamic and unpredictable nature of UFC matchmaking, keeping fans eagerly anticipating blockbuster clashes. The potential showdowns between Gaethje, Topuria, and Makhachev could redefine lightweight and welterweight divisions, injecting fresh excitement into the sport’s landscape.
