Kamaru Usman thinks Dana White has two options after Justin Gaethje’s UFC retirement ultimatum.
Gaethje has made it clear what he wants next following a bounce-back victory earlier this year.
A few months after Gaethje beat Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313, a new champion at 155 pounds was crowned when Ilia Topuria starched Charles Oliveira. Three top contenders have since been vying for the first shot at the Spaniard, with Paddy Pimblett and Arman Tsarukyan rivaling ‘The Highlight’s’ claim.
To boost his chances, Gaethje threatened to retire if he isn’t chosen to face Topuria next. One of his most prominent teammates, though, thinks the promotion has one other option to draw the always entertaining lightweight star back.
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Kamaru Usman thinks Justin Gaethje would accept a non-title UFC fight if it is at the White House
During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside fellow former UFC champion Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman suggested Gaethje’s title fight or retirement ultimatum may not be entirely true.
‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ pointed to next year’s planned White House event as an occasion that his teammate will likely want to be involved in. So much so that Usman does not think a title would be required for the UFC to get Gaethje to agree.
“Justin Gaethje on the (White House) card, I think that’s a no-brainer,” Usman said.
“(Against) Paddy Pimblett? I see it. And I think in a circumstance and a situation like that, I think that’s something that Justin Gaethje might get up for.
“I think that’s the only case when he entertains a fight like that and it not be for the title,” Usman added.
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Justin Gaethje planned to beat Ilia Topuria before defending the title at UFC White House
Gaethje has actually already addressed the possibility of him being a part of the planned UFC event at the White House, but he had a different vision than Usman.
Speaking during a Q&A ahead of UFC 318 this past July, Gaethje revealed his plan to beat Topuria this year before returning in 2026 to defend his gold at the celebration of American independence.
“That’s the fight that I want. Obviously, I’m biased. I’m going to fight for what I feel like I deserve,” Gaethje said about challenging Topuria.
“We’re all biased toward ourselves. It’s me or Arman. I believe somebody has to fight him this year, and I think I’m in a better spot than Arman.
“I hope it’s at MSG, New York City,” Gaethje continued. “I get to fight him, and I get to defend it on the White House lawn.”
However, that plan has already been dented by confirmation of two different title fights at UFC 322. MSG will host Islam Makhachev’s title challenge against Jack Della Maddalena in addition to the women’s flyweight super fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Zhang Weili.