Newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje (28-5) is shutting down any talk of an immediate rematch with Ilia Topuria (17-1), insisting the former champion must rebuild before receiving another title shot.
Gaethje pulled off a monumental upset at UFC Freedom 250, dominating Topuria through four rounds before forcing “El Matador’s” corner to stop the fight due to an eye injury. Gaethje dismissed the notion that Topuria deserves an immediate second chance, pointing instead to Arman Tsarukyan as the division’s rightful top contender.
“He’s not fighting me next,” Gaethje said. “Why would he fight me next? Arman deserves it way more than him… I didn’t knock him out. I didn’t get lucky. I beat him up. He’s going to have to get a win before he fights for a championship.”
Topuria, who suffered the first professional MMA loss of his career in the bout, faces an uncertain timeline for his return. While Gaethje acknowledges that the Georgian-Spaniard remains a dangerous threat to anyone in the division, he expects the UFC to move in a different direction.
With contenders such as Tsarukyan, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira potentially in contention, Gaethje has plenty of options for his first title defense.