Justin Gaethje Won the Belt, Then Dropped a Bomb: Ilia Topuria's Rematch Is Not Happening

WOAH. Can we talk about what went down after UFC Freedom 250? Justin Gaethje, our dude, just absolutely snagged that lightweight title from Ilia Topuria at the White House, and if you thought the fight was wild, wait until you hear what he said NEXT. Forget retirement talk, because Gaethje just threw a major wrench into the lightweight division, and frankly, we are here for it. This is going to impact everything!

Don't Count Gaethje Out Yet, The Champ Is Hungry

Alright, so before UFC Freedom 250, there was this whole vibe, right? Like, was this Gaethje's last stand? He’s 37 years old, and honestly, the chatter even going into his fight with Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 was that retirement was on the table. Everyone thought he might hang 'em up after finally getting that lightweight championship. But hold up, because after reflecting for a week, the undisputed champ is NOT going anywhere. He told "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast that he’s planning to defend that belt. He even said, straight up, "There's not something natural in me that feels like it's over." That's the kind of fire we love to see! You gotta respect a guy who knows what he wants, especially when it's more fighting.

Topuria Wants A Rematch? Gaethje Says "Nah."

Now, this is where it gets spicy. You'd think after losing the belt, Ilia Topuria would be first in line for a rematch, right

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? Nope. Gaethje is having NONE of it. He's made it crystal clear he's not interested in facing Topuria again. Not even a little bit. And honestly, his reasoning is rock solid. Topuria never successfully defended the title before Gaethje stopped him. Gaethje didn't mince words, saying, "He doesn't get a rematch. He can try, but he doesn't get one." Ouch. He even went further, hitting Topuria with, "He quit on the stool. I stopped him twice. What else do I have to f***ing do? His next challenge can't be me. He needs to fight Paddy [Pimblett] or someone like that." Tell 'em how you really feel, champ! He's also not looking to fight top contender Arman Tsarukyan right now.

Who's Next For The Lightweight King?

So, if it's not Topuria or Tsarukyan, who's stepping up to face the new lightweight king? The division is buzzing with possibilities. There's Charles Oliveira, a former lightweight champion who's actually beaten Gaethje before, which makes that an intriguing matchup. We also have to keep an eye on the winner of that welterweight clash between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway headlining UFC 329, because that's a name-value fight that could absolutely cut the line. And don't sleep on Benoit Saint Denis, who could solidify his contender status if he takes down Paddy Pimblett on June 11. It's an exciting time for the lightweight division, and with Gaethje fired up and ready to defend, we are absolutely LOCKED IN for whatever comes next. This is gonna be epic!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.