Gaethje Must Decide Between Golf And UFC

Justin Gaethje has spent five months away from the octagon since winning the UFC lightweight title, and Dana White says the champion now faces a choice between fighting and golf.

Since stopping Ilia Topuria in June to claim the belt, Gaethje has competed in an athletic challenge at New York's Fanatics Fest and joined Dave Portnoy's golf league. White revealed on the Jim Rome Show that the champ won the Fanatics event and is doing well on the golf circuit, activities that don't involve daily gym warfare.

White On Gaethje's Next Move And Volkanovski Fight

White framed the situation as Gaethje's call to make, noting the champion holds leverage after his career-defining victory. The UFC boss said he would welcome a superfight between Gaethje and Alexander Volkanovski, telling Rome he'd "pretty much do anything" for the former featherweight king at this stage.

Other possibilities include running back the Topuria bout or matching Gaethje with top contender Arman Tsarukyan. White confirmed the promotion is talking with Gaethje's team but said a decision point is approaching. "He's gonna have to pull the trigger one way or the other," White said, per MMA Mania.

Gaethje previously threatened retirement if the UFC didn't offer him a marquee opponent, though he later admitted his manager drove much of that talk. White said the promotion is working to determine whether the lightweight champion plans to keep competing or step away.

No date has been set for Gaethje's first title defense.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Golf or UFC? Justin Gaethje must ‘decide what he’s gonna do’