Justin Gaethje has been one of the best lightweight fighters in the world over the past eight years, but his days as a top contender are coming to an end.
Later this month, Gaethje will once again try to cash in on a UFC title shot when he meets red-hot contender Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 from Las Vegas, Nevada. The matchup will be for the interim UFC lightweight title as current 155-pound champion, Ilia Topuria, is taking a brief hiatus from fighting.
While Gaethje already won interim gold
when he knocked off Tony Ferguson back in 2020 this is still another opportunity to lock down a shot at the undisputed belt. If Gaethje is able to defeat Pimblett and claim the interim title then he would set up a fight with Topuria later this year.
Gaethje is 0-2 when it comes to fighting for undisputed UFC gold so this current run is expected to be his last. The 37-year-old veteran even threatened to retire if he didn’t get a title shot in his next fight. Fight fans can’t blame Gaethje for trying to push for one last run given his age, activity over the past decade, and the amount of damage he has absorbed.
Trevor Wittman, who has coached Gaethje for a very long time, confirmed that UFC 324 will be Gaethje’s last run at UFC glory. After that, “Highlight” will likely step away to worry about his family and health.
Check it out below:
“I’m not afraid to speak it out loud – 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 like that. Justin would fight over and over, but he knows he’s got to be there for family, he’s got to be smart and take care of his health”
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