Justin Gaethje plans to sit out the rest of the year after capturing the lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250 this past Sunday.
Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria by doctor’s stoppage TKO to claim the belt in a fight that took place at the White House in Washington. He was later suspended 180 days by the Association of Boxing and Combative Sports Commissions until his right wrist and left knee MRIs are cleared and was given 45 days mandatory rest.
Speaking about his workload and future plans, Gaethje said, "I already fought twice this year and very rarely do you get me twice in one year so there's a very, very, very small chance that I would ever consider fighting this year again with what I put myself through," on "The Pat McAfee Show."
Reflecting on the performance itself, Gaethje added, "I was able to reset his feet every 1-2 seconds, I was very diligent about it, and I fought a perfect fight," and later noted, "He was completely caught off guard. He was not expecting it. That obviously is another part of this whole game is the expectations."
Gaethje now stands at 28-5 in MMA and 11-5 in the UFC, while Topuria holds a 17-1 MMA record and 9-1 mark in the UFC. Gaethje fought only once in 2024 and 2025 but has already fought twice this year and has earned 17 bonuses in 16 fights.
