UFC Legends Discuss Justin Gaethje Not Fighting Again After Ilia Topuria Showdown at the White House

Interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is a UFC legend with several high-profile fights on his resume. Yet, his next fight may be the most pivotal of his career as the ’Highlight’ challenges for the undisputed lightweight crown at the White House. As such, UFC legends Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo have floated the possibility of it also being Gaethje’s final outing.

The two-time interim lightweight champion faces the undisputed champion Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 to unify the titles. The Spaniard is a heavy favorite heading into this fight against his 37-year-old opponent. While the American lightweight remains focused on capturing his first undisputed belt, the upcoming bout has sparked debate about the future of his career.

Henry Cejudo reminded his co-host and the viewers of the Pound 4 Pound podcast that this may be Justin Gaethje’s final bout. The former double champion brought up the ‘Highlight’ alluding to a desire to end his career the way it started, as the reason why.

Justin Gaethje confirmed it. I started outside fighting. Now I’m going to end it outside fighting. So it’s going to be his last fight, bro.

Henry Cejudo via the Pound4Pound podcast

Cejudo’s claim is likely based on the interim champion’s comments during the recent UFC Freedom 250 press conference. At the Newark presser where Ilia Topuria entered a bizarre feud with Josh Hokit, the 37-year-old American fighter revealed that, like his first MMA fight, one of his last fights would also be in an outdoor setting.

Nonetheless, the interim champion did not explicitly confirm this upcoming bout as his retirement fight. As such, his training partner and friend, Kamaru Usman, seemed unconvinced by his co-host’s theory. Even so, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ expressed his sadness at Gaethje potentially retiring. Moreover, the former welterweight champion confirmed that once the ‘Highlight’ retires, he is done for good.

If it is his last fight, that will make me sad. And I don’t think people get it yet. I think people are just saying what they want, but I don’t think they understand that yet. When Justin Gaethje says, ‘I’m done,’ we’re going to miss him. We’re going to miss him because he is done.

Kamaru Usman via the Pound4Pound podcast

🚨Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo discuss whether this could be Justin Gaethje’s last fight 👀

🗣Cejudo: "He said it himself. He confirmed it. He said, ‘I started fighting outside, now I’m gonna end it fighting outside.’ So, it’s gonna be his last fight, bro.

🗣Usman: "If it is… pic.twitter.com/7v2IvplNLV

— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) May 28, 2026

Regardless of Usman’s reluctance to confirm whether this would be the retirement fight of Gaethje, the American lightweight himself once spoke on it earlier.

Justin Gaethje knows that the ‘end is near’ for his UFC career

Heading into his divisive UFC 324 interim title fight against Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje was a slight underdog against the Englishman. A loss in this fight would have ended the American’s chances of capturing undisputed UFC gold for good. However, he managed to overcome Pimblett to become UFC interim lightweight champion for the second time in his career.

However, Gaethje had admitted that he felt an air of finality heading into that bout. The interim champion spoke candidly to TNT Sports about winding down his storied career. While he admitted back then that this would not be the last fight, the 37-year-old revealed that it was nigh.

No, but it’s not the beginning. I’m 37 years old. I’d be a fool to think that we’re just getting started here. The end is near.

Justin Gaethje via TNT Sports

One last run 🏆

Justin Gaethje admits the end is near and he is enjoying every minute 🥹🤝#UFC324 | Jan 24 | LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office pic.twitter.com/w2BCznC4KD

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) January 13, 2026

Even Justin Gaethje’s coach, Trevor Wittman, told Brett Okamoto ahead of UFC 324 that this was going to be the American lightweight’s final run in the UFC.

This is our last run. If we don’t win this fight, we’re not going on. We’re not going to go out there and be a gatekeeper and look at money fights and [expletive] like that.

Trevor Wittman via ESPN

The upcoming fight against Ilia Topuria is Gaethje’s third crack at undisputed gold in the UFC. Considering this, it is unlikely that the UFC grants him any additional title opportunities should he lose to ‘El Matador’. So, with the possibility of permanently exiting the title picture, a loss at UFC Freedom 250 could mean Wittman’s condition is fulfilled.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t appear as if the ‘Highlight’ is worrying about all that. The two-time interim champion recently highlighted two factors that could help him capture his first undisputed belt, seeming laser-focused on dethroning the undefeated Spanish champion.

Also Read:

• Conor McGregor Explains the Reason Behind Shifting His Approach Against Max Holloway
• Ilia Topuria Eyes Conor McGregor Superfight Once the Irishman Gets Past Max Holloway