UFC Star Pleads With Dana White to Book Ilia Topuria Vs Justin Gaethje Next And ‘Just Give’ a Chance

While Ilia Topuria has cemented himself as the UFC’s 155-pound divisional king, there are question marks about how he holds up next. In his second coming at the lightweight class, Topuria knocked out yet another legend at the UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira PPV main event, and is now on a 3-0 KO title campaign. Now, the wait for Topuria’s first defense continues, and Justin Gaethje has come up as a potent option.

The promotion’s #1 Pound-for-pound fighter and only two-division champ to make it on an undefeated record, Ilia Topuria, faced off with Paddy Pimblett right after his glorious win at UFC 317. While the Liverpudlian lightweight seems to have an edge, so does Gaethje, with ranked wins and answering summons.

Now, one UFC fighter is promoting that UFC matchmaker give Justin Gaethje his dues, as he has more than earned it in blood and glory.

There are some people saying it’s gonna be Paddy; I’ve heard it could be Paddy and I’ve heard it could be Justin…For me, as a fighter…a big part of me feels like, you know what? Give Justin Gaethje the title fight. Because we only have him [just a while] longer in the game…Just give the guy the fight. He earned it. He has earned it in blood, he has earned it through his efforts, through all he has given us and left us. He has given us things he will never get back.

UFC welterweight veteran Michael Chiesa on ‘The Bohnfire – EP 47’| with MMA Junkie

Former divisional king Islam Makhachev himself has backed former top seed and #2 lightweight Arman Tsarukyan as the best option. Tsarukyan was to face the Dagestani in a rematch at UFC 311: Makhachev vs. Moicano, but pulled out at the ceremonial weigh-ins due to back injury. The Armenian made backup spot at UFC 317 and has been on a tirade against the (apparently) ducking Topuria.

Meanwhile, veteran fighter-turned-analyst Michael Bisping, and even Sean O’Malley. have postulated that Scouser Pimblett makes the bigger PPV draw and logical choice due to their long-standing enmity. However, a long stay in the division, Gaethje is just as deserving and even ‘El Matador’ agrees.

Those pushing back on the Americans’ plan to challenge Topuria next have cited Gaethje’s UFC 300 PPV “BMF” fight loss to Max Holloway in 2024. But in reality, Justin Gaethje is a zinger and answers calls whenever, wherever. A 9X “Fight of the Night” post-fight bonus winner, he was the top contender before last April. Recently, he has won 3 out of his last 4 and is fresh off a near-finish of Rafael Fiziev in their rematch at the UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev PPV co-mains in March.

‼️Arman Tsarukyan thinks Ilia Topuria's next opponent will be Paddy Pimblett rather than Justin Gaethje:

via Sport24

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— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) September 18, 2025

At 36, ‘The Highlight’ isn’t sticking around forever and needs prime fights, unlike Scouser Pimblett, who’d be there for the long haul. After taking the risk with the Holloway fight and again answering a quick shuffle with Fiziev, Gaethje has made his intention clear. Even so, a close friend and analyst thinks Gaethje’s ultimatums won’t have the effect he desires.

UFC Legend thinks Justin Gaethje’s retirement ultimatum is shooting blanks at the moment

The #5 lightweight Justin Gaethje answered the call for a main card fight on historic UFC 300 PPV lineup and triple titleheader, when prime names like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones failed their returns. While in a titular limbo, he then acclimated to a short-notice card change and faced old rival Fiziev.

Before his UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev booking, Justin Gaethje made it clear that with another probable win, he wants a clear top shot. The fighter even welcomed Ilia Topuria to the ranks and has been eager to face him next.

But with Tsarukyan and Pimblett gaining traction, the Elevation Fight Team fighter and rep Ali Abdelaziz said UFC Execs needed to ‘show some love’ or Gaethje would retire. Gaethje doubled and tripled down on it, saying he’s done making weight at 155 for zinger fights and wants to face Ilia Topuria next.

UFC boss Dana White shunned such ‘whacky’ demands, saying if a fighter is at a stage where they threaten with ‘retirement’, maybe they should retire. Given all that, UFC play-by-play broadcaster Daniel Cormier thinks his friend Gaethje is missing the mark, big time.

It sounds [to me] like Gaethje, …he’s more than willing now to stand by that and be done…that would suck; MMA is better when Justin Gaethje is fighting. [Right now] Justin seems very, very stern in the idea that if he has to fight Paddy Pimblett,[as an only option] he’s not going to do it…I don’t know that [UFC] they’re going to do that, especially when you go through all the things [considered]; the fact THAT Arman has a case, and Paddy has a case.

Daniel Cormier on his Official YT Channel

Attributing to that is the fact that Gaethje turned down possible rumors of an intermediate top contender fight with No.7-ranked Pimblett. With years of history with ‘El Matador’ and after a fiesty third-round TKO over Michael Chandler, he has just as much chance, even more, at a title shot.

The clarity of having a big English crowd as a fanbase and a long history puts Pimblett at a better advantage and a good PPV draw for this fight. Plus, UFC likes to negotiate from a position of power, and Gaethje inking thoughts of retirement aren’t making it easy.

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