Overview
- Abdelaziz told media on Thursday that Justin Gaethje is not retiring and that he expects Gaethje to fight again in 2027 only if the matchup is a ‘massive’ one.
- The manager floated a superfight with Islam Makhachev and named other options such as Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan while stressing that Dana White and the UFC will make the final booking decisions.
- Gaethje won the undisputed lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, 2026, and has signaled he will take the rest of 2026 off after two hard fights earlier this year.
- Media reporting links the winner of Arman Tsarukyan vs. Mauricio Ruffy to a 2027 title shot, giving the promotion a path to crown an immediate challenger while Gaethje rests.
- Abdelaziz’s push for a single, payday-driven return could lead Gaethje to vacate the belt or wait for a superfight, and UFC matchmaking choices in the coming months will determine whether legacy or money shapes his final bout.