Justin Gaethje has ruled out giving Ilia Topuria an immediate rematch, arguing that Arman Tsarukyan has done more to earn the next UFC lightweight title shot. The champion says Topuria needs another win before returning to a championship fight.
Gaethje was direct when asked about running it back with Topuria after their title fight. “He’s not fighting me next,” Gaethje said, before asking why the former champion should move straight back into a title bout.
Justin Gaethje Shuts Down Ilia Topuria Rematch Talk After UFC Freedom 250
The new lightweight champion rejected any suggestion that his victory was a fluke. Gaethje said he did not score a one-shot knockout or benefit from good fortune; in his view, he controlled the contest and “beat him up.”
Gaethje stopped Topuria in the fourth round at UFC Freedom 250 when Topuria’s corner ended the fight after damage accumulated around his face and eyes. The finish brought Topuria’s run as lightweight champion to an end and placed Gaethje back at the top of a packed 155-pound division.
For Gaethje, the next contender should be Tsarukyan. He said the Armenian contender “deserves it way more” than Topuria, a notable change from last year, when Gaethje had argued he was ahead of Tsarukyan in the queue for a title opportunity.
Tsarukyan strengthened his case by submitting Dan Hooker in the second round in November 2025, moving his record to 23-3. He had previously been booked to challenge then-champion Islam Makhachev in January 2025, but withdrew on the eve of the fight because of a back injury.
That withdrawal initially cost Tsarukyan momentum with the UFC. Gaethje himself said in January that Tsarukyan was likely the more deserving challenger on sporting merit, while acknowledging the promotion was unhappy with the late cancellation.
Gaethje believes Topuria must re-enter the contender mix rather than wait for a rematch. “He’s gonna have to get a win before he fights for a championship,” he said, adding that Topuria could even return to featherweight, where he built his name before moving up to lightweight.
The champion also listed other possible opponents, including Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway, while noting there are still fights to unfold before a potential rematch window. He questioned whether Topuria himself has publicly pressed for the fight, saying the former champion has not been especially visible since the loss.
Topuria remains a dangerous assignment despite Gaethje’s dismissal of an immediate sequel. Gaethje called him a good fighter and said whoever faces him next will have a difficult night, but he made one point clear: it will not be Gaethje next.
