Justin Gaethje Announces Retirement Timeline, Eyes Final Championship Run
In the world of combat sports, every remarkable career must eventually reach its conclusion. What truly matters is the manner in which a fighter chooses to finish their journey. The current UFC interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje, has now publicly revealed his intention to retire from mixed martial arts in the coming years. With over thirty professional bouts to his name, the fighter known as 'The Highlight' is acutely aware of his own longevity in this demanding sport.
A Legacy Already Written, But Unfinished Business Remains
At 37 years of age, Gaethje has already crafted a career destined for the record books. His accomplishments include capturing three UFC titles and a WSOF championship, establishing him as one of the most exciting and successful fighters of his generation. However, as the end approaches, it appears that unfinished business possesses a powerful gravitational pull.
Speculation initially suggested Gaethje would retire if he lost to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324. Instead, the veteran delivered a dominant performance to defeat 'The Baddy'. Following that, Gaethje's manager, Ali Abdelaziz, indicated retirement was a possibility if a title shot did not materialize after Gaethje's decision victory over Rafael Fiziev in March 2025. Now, Gaethje—the only UFC fighter to win the interim lightweight title twice—is focused on elevating his status to undisputed champion by defeating the current titleholder, Ilia Topuria, later this year.
One Final Push on the Historic White House Card
"I'm 37 years old now. I'd be a fool to think this is the beginning, and there's no doubt we're toward the end. But I think by mid-2027, I'll be 100% done," Gaethje stated in an interview with Zach Gelb.
He elaborated on the monumental challenge ahead: "With the amount I'm going to have to sacrifice, the work I'll have to put in, and the challenge that is Ilia Topuria, on the White House card, I would never publicly say that I'm done after that fight. But if I accomplished that, if I'm successful, it wouldn't be a dumb idea to not do it again."
Gaethje's ideal retirement path involves defending a potential undisputed UFC lightweight title twice before hanging up his gloves. However, he acknowledges this route is not guaranteed to go through Topuria. "The interim champion gets an automatic claim to the undisputed title, which belongs to Ilia Topuria. He has some personal issues going on, and I'm not sure when he's going to come back and fight again. Ultimately, I can't control that," Gaethje explained.
Confident Main Event Status and Alternative Opponents
While targeting a mid-2027 retirement, Gaethje concedes it could happen sooner if he successfully defeats Topuria. His confidence remains unshaken regarding his place on the upcoming historic card. "I know for a fact that I'm going to fight in the future, and it's going to be a huge fight. June is the White House card, and I'm American; I represent this country. So whether I'm fighting Ilia Topuria or someone else, I expect to be the main event of that card," Gaethje added with assurance.
Rumors suggest the UFC White House Card could feature six to seven title fights, with Topuria versus Gaethje potentially among them. Should Topuria be unavailable, Gaethje has expressed openness to facing the returning Conor McGregor, who is also training for the event. A bout featuring Gaethje and McGregor as the main attractions could generate even greater popularity than the proposed Topuria matchup, marking a spectacular potential finale for Gaethje's storied career.
