{"id":797854,"date":"2026-07-13T16:08:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/797854\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T16:08:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T16:08:12","slug":"ufc-fans-ready-for-justin-gaethje-fight-news-after-major-update-from-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/797854\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Fans Ready for Justin Gaethje Fight News After Major Update From Manager"},"content":{"rendered":"

A recent update from Justin Gaethje\u2019s manager has fans wondering if the UFC lightweight champion\u2019s first title defense is already in the works.<\/p>\n

One of the most popular fighters on the UFC roster, Gaethje began the year by claiming the promotion\u2019s interim lightweight belt for the second time<\/a> with a unanimous decision over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324. <\/p>\n

That victory set up a massive lightweight title unification fight at The White House, where Gaethje handed Ilia Topuria the first loss of his MMA career <\/a>and finally managed to claim undisputed UFC gold. <\/p>\n

Ali Abdelaziz Kicks Off Speculation for Justin Gaethje’s Next UFC Fight<\/p>\n

UFC Hall of Famers Demetrious Johnson and Georges St-Pierre both publically called for Gaethje to retire <\/a>following the biggest win of his career, but for the moment it looks like \u201cThe Highlight\u201d plans to stick around and defend his title. <\/p>\n

\"Justin<\/p>\n

Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) fights Ilia Topuria (red gloves) during the UFC Freedom 250 at the White House South Lawn. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

There are a few promising options available for Gaethje\u2019s next fight, and his manager Ali Abdelaziz<\/a> got the MMA rumor mill churning this week with a post suggesting that his fighter will face a new opponent his next time out. <\/p>\n

The champ\u2019s next fight will be against someone he\u2019s never fought before. I\u2019m really excited for this matchup.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) July 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

“The champ\u2019s next fight will be against someone he\u2019s never fought before. I\u2019m really excited for this matchup.”<\/p>\n

As noted by several fans, Abdelaziz could potentially be referring to Islam Makhachev\u2019s upcoming fight with Ian Machado Garry<\/a>, which will serve as the headlining bout for UFC 330 and see Makhachev make the first defense of his welterweight title. <\/p>\n

\"Islam<\/p>\n

Islam Makhachev (blue gloves) acknowledges the crowd after defeating Jack Della Maddalena (not pictured) in the welterweight championship bout during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

While there\u2019s a chance that Abdelaziz could be a referencing Makhachev, Gaethje seems to be the more likely candidate given that he\u2019s already shared the cage with a number of the top UFC lightweights that currently have cases for a title shot. <\/p>\n

Will Arman Tsarukyan Finally Get His UFC Title Shot?<\/p>\n

Based on Abdelaziz\u2019s post, it looks like Arman Tsarukyan may face Gaethje next and finally get his crack at the UFC lightweight title.<\/p>\n

\"Arman<\/p>\n

Arman Tsarukyan during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Tsarukyan was originally scheduled to fight for lightweight gold in early 2025 against Makhachev in a rematch of their 2019 meeting, but \u201cAhalkalakets\u201d famously withdrew with an injury on weigh-in day and was replaced by Renato Moicano. <\/p>\n

\"Arman<\/p>\n

Arman Tsarukyan (blue gloves) fights Charles Oliveira (red gloves) during UFC 300 at T-Mobile Arena. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

UFC CEO Dana White put Tsarukyan on blast following the event and declared that he\u2019d have to work his way back to a title shot<\/a>. Since then, the 29-year-old has collected an impressive number of victories in grappling competitions, and he also submitted Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar in November. <\/p>\n

Other Options for Justin Gaethje’s First UFC Title Defense<\/p>\n

An immediate rematch with Topuria would likely be on the table if \u201cEl Matador\u201d hadn\u2019t absorbed so much damage in the White House fight, but there\u2019s also a few other names Gaethje might be eager to see again if he doesn\u2019t fight Tsarukyan. <\/p>\n

\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Holloway during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Highlight\u201d relinquished his \u201cBMF\u201d belt to Max Holloway via last-second knockout<\/a> at UFC 300, and Holloway will likely be ready to return sooner rather than later after the anticlimactic ending to his rematch with Conor McGregor <\/a>at UFC 329. <\/p>\n

\"Max<\/p>\n

Max Holloway (red gloves) fights Charles Oliveira (blue gloves) during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The lightweight champion\u2019s former foe Pimblett also returned to the win column at UFC 329 when he submitted Benoit Saint-Denis in just 52 seconds<\/a>, and Gaethje may also be interested in running things back with Charles Oliveira after \u201cDo Bronx\u201d previously submitted him in 2022 and took the “BMF\u201d belt from Holloway in March. <\/p>\n

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