Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje Rematch ‘Internally Discussed’ by Dana White and Team, Reveals UFC Commentator

The top brass of the UFC recently discussed a Justin Gaethje vs Ilia Topuria rematch, according to Jon Anik.

Ilia Topuria vs Justin Gaethje Rematch ‘Internally Discussed’ by Dana White and Team, Reveals UFC Commentator

Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria with Dana White (Image via BBC)

Ilia Topuria losing to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 is among the most shocking moments of this year. The American fighter entered as a massive underdog and made his nation proud at the White House to outlast Topuria with the undisputed lightweight title on the line.

Since then, Gaethje has put his retirement on hold and will only return for a big matchup. On the other hand, Topuria recently came back to public limelight. He had a six-month medical suspension following his first-ever career loss. As such, he will likely return next year just like Gaethje.

Arman Tsarukyan vs Mauricio Ruffy was promoted as a No. 1 contender fight. However, Dana White was hesitant to call it that. This led UFC commentator, Jon Anik, to reveal that top UFC brass discussed Topuria rematching Gaethje sometime next year as a possibility.

I think there are internal conversations to potentially try to do Gaethje vs. Topuria 2. A rematch would be absolutely enormous, and I think, predictively, that’s what’s going to happen.

Jon Anik said

The rematch can do big business for the UFC as there will be intrigue among the fanbase on whether Gaethje’s victory was a fluke or not. Some point to the sequence of the second round where Topuria dropped Gaethje with a body shot and fumbled a TKO finish by going for a submission.

UFC Freedom 250 drew 34 million global viewers, with an average of 8.2 million viewers and 17 million unique viewers tuning in across the U.S. and Latin America on Paramount+. A rematch would do big numbers as well if it does not come close to these figures.

Despite internal planning among the UFC brass, Gaethje revealed that he didn’t want to fight Topuria next. The new lightweight champion even went as far as to say that Tsarukyan deserves a title shot more than ‘El Matador.

At the same time, manager Ali Abdelaziz wants big fights for Gaethje. As such, ‘The Highlight’ will wait for whatever gets him a huge payday. Jon Anik thinks that a rematch with Topuria makes sense in that aspect.

Gaethje competed twice in 2026, and no longer wants to fight this year. With that timeline, it may pave the way for Topuria to recover and return to compete in a title rematch.

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Ilia Topuria will no longer make predictions before fighting

Ilia Topuria emulating Conor McGregor’s tactics is what made him become popular with the MMA community. At first, fans and other fighters called him a ‘copycat.’ However, backing up the predictions with knockout wins changed the perception of everyone regarding ‘El Matador.’

Ilia Topuria with Joe Rogan
Ilia Topuria with Joe Rogan (Image via MMA Fighting)

Before fighting Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, Topuria delivered a knockout prediction. Moreover, he prematurely celebrated before fighting Gaethje at the White House. After failing to keep the promise of a win, ‘El Matador’ has new priorities moving forward.

I do not want anyone to see me as a man who never falls, because that would be a lie. I want them to see a man who can be knocked to the ground and who keeps making the same decision to get back up. I do not know what my next fight will look like, and I cannot promise any result. But I can promise something that depends entirely on me: you will not see me stop trying.

Ilia Topuria via Instagram

Joe Rogan also believed that Topuria may stop his pre-fight celebration ritual and predictions after losing to Gaethje. It appears that fans will see a new side of Topuria moving forward.

As for his next opponent, Paddy Pimblett and Arman Tsarukyan are viable options if a rematch the champion doesn’t happen. However, fans will have to wait till 2027 to see the return of ‘El Matador.’

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