The UFC lightweight division has gone through some big changes in recent months but they haven’t benefitted Justin Gaethje.
After Islam Makhachev vacated the lightweight title, Ilia Topuria was matched with Charles Oliveira for the main event of UFC 317 where a new champion would be crowned.
After being overlooked, Gaethje issued a strong ultimatum to the UFC where he claimed that if he wasn’t getting the next shot, he would retire from the sport.
This led to some stating that Gaethje may have suffered in the aftermath of the event after Topuria shared a face-off with Paddy Pimblett inside of the Octagon.
With fans questioning whether this really might be a disappointing end to an incredible career, the former interim lightweight champion’s manager spoke on the matter.
- READ MORE: Charles Oliveira names hardest-hitting opponent he’s ever fought after scary KO loss to Ilia Topuria
Ali Abdelaziz believes that Justin Gaethje will stick to his guns in retiring if he doesn’t get a title shot next
In a recent appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Ali Abdelaziz covered a number of topics as one of the most prominent managers in the sport.
Abdelaziz stated that he can completely understand Justin Gaethje’s frustrations after feeling like he isn’t being rewarded for helping the UFC out.
The promotion obviously thinks highly of Gaethje and he has helped them out on several occasions in recent times when he could’ve chosen not to fight.
Most recently, he agreed to face Rafael Fiziev in a rematch at UFC 313 when his original opponent, Dan Hooker, withdrew due to injury.
Unfortunately for fans who might be hoping that Gaethje might rescind his comments about hanging up the gloves, Abdelaziz believes that his fighter will stick to his words.
As someone that knows ‘The Highlight’ very well, he believes that the former BMF champion isn’t the kind of person to forget about what he believes he’s due.
“Nobody can say s— to Justin Gaethje and I normally don’t go talk about stuff like this publicly… I think he’s the type of guy who will. He will walk away. Justin Gaethje will walk away… The way that this guy fights, you’d have never thought that this dude has this much value and principle. Nothing matches with Justin Gaethje.”
Kamaru Usman seconds Ali Abdelaziz’s comments about Justin Gaethje’s potential retirement
In response to Ali Abdelaziz’s comments, Kamaru Usman expressed a similar sentiment when talking about Justin Gaethje’s mindset.
Usman also knows ‘The Highlight’ very well as his long-time friend and training partner who is another one of Abdelaziz’s most high-profile fighters.
“I agree, he’s one of the most honest and principled guys… And he’s a damn good golfer now, I hate to admit that.”
While we don’t know what will be next for Ilia Topuria at this moment in time, it seems unlikely that Gaethje will end up getting the next shot at the new champion.