Justin Gaethje has always delivered for the UFC—whether it’s stepping up on short notice, throwing down in Fight of the Year contenders, or putting his body on the line for the fans. But now? He’s not sure if the UFC is willing to do the same for him.
In March, Gaethje got back in the win column with a tough, well-earned decision over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313. The original plan was to face Dan Hooker in a bout with real title implications, but after Hooker got injured, Gaethje accepted a short-notice replacement to keep the card alive. He did what the UFC needed. Again.
When Islam Makhachev vacated the lightweight belt, Gaethje wasn’t even in the conversation for the vacant title fight. Instead, Charles Oliveira and former featherweight champ Ilia Topuria were booked for UFC 317 on June 28. That decision hit Gaethje hard—and it’s clear from what his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has been saying publicly.
“He saved the UFC two times. He’s won three of his last four,” Abdelaziz told Submission Radio. “Justin Gaethje fights the winner. But if he doesn’t, he’s ready to hang up his gloves.”
Justin Gaethje is considering retirement—not because he’s tired of fighting, but because he feels disrespected and no one can you blame him.
Since joining the UFC in 2017, Gaethje has done nothing but entertain. He’s fought 14 times and earned 14 post-fight bonuses. He’s been in four different Fight of the Year wars. Even in defeat—like his brutal battle against Max Holloway at UFC 300 for the BMF title—he gives fans everything he has. Every. Single. Time.
But now, he feels like the UFC is looking the other way.
“He told me at UFC 316, ‘If I don’t get a title shot, I’m done,’” Abdelaziz said. “He feels disrespected. He said, ‘I love being a UFC fighter. I love the UFC. But I need the UFC to love me back.’ And right now? He doesn’t feel the love.”
There’s still a chance things work out. Abdelaziz believes the UFC does value Gaethje—and that they’ll do the right thing and give him a title shot against the winner of Oliveira vs. Topuria. However, as it stands, Gaethje is watching from the sidelines, questioning whether this sport still has a place for him.
Few fighters have given more to this game than Justin Gaethje. And if the UFC lets him walk without giving him one last shot at gold, itll be their loss.
