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Justin Gaethje is not one to make hollow threats, according to someone who should know.
Ali Abdelaziz, founder of Dominance MMA and Gaethje’s longtime manager, commented recently on his client’s stated intention to retire if he is not the next challenger for the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight belt.
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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship interim lightweight champ and “BMF” titleholder Gaethje was vocal in his expectation of a chance to fight for the crown vacated when Islam Makhachev declared his move up to welterweight earlier this year. However, that opportunity went to Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira and when Topuria knocked out Oliveira at UFC 317 in June, Gaethje called for the next shot at Topuria.
While the promotion has yet to confirm Topuria’s next challenger, Gaethje is not the only one in the running. Arman Tsarukyan, who weighed in as the alternate for June’s title fight, as well as Paddy Pimblett, who had an in-cage faceoff with the new champ after his win, are both under consideration, and Topuria himself has expressed a preference for the polarizing Pimblett.
Gaethje has threatened retirement if he is denied the next title shot, and his manager, Abdelaziz, warns that we should take the threat seriously. Also making a case for his athlete, Abdelaziz notes that Pimblett’s recent wins came against fighters who were on a slump. Abdelaziz acknowledged the merits of Tsarukyan’s claim, but Tsarukyan is booked to fight Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar on Nov. 22. Abdelaziz told Submission Radio:
“Justin Gaethje never break his word. If he gets jumped by Paddy, he will retire. And he will never fight again in the UFC. I truly believe that… [Paddy Pimblett’s] last three opponents is 0-13. How he be ahead of Justin Gaethje? Justin Gaethje gave the UFC favor after favor after favor. What Paddy Pimblett has done for the UFC to deserve a shot over Justin Gaethje. If it’s pure entertainment, okay, give it to him. If pure merit, it’s Justin Gaethje… The only guy who [deserves] to get a title shot over Justin Gaethje is Arman. I will not say anything. But if anyone else gets a title shot over Justin Gaethje, it’ll be unfair.”
Pimblett (23-3) is undefeated in seven UFC outings, with his most notable wins coming against Michael Chandler, Bobby Green, and Tony Ferguson. Meanwhile, Gaethje (26-5) came up short in two title bids, first against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020, then against Charles Oliveira in 2022. “The Highlight” has since beat Rafael Fiziev twice and Dustin Poirier once while losing only to Max Holloway.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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