Gaethje's Manager Reveals 2027 Return Timeline

Justin Gaethje won't return to the octagon until 2027 at the earliest, his manager Ali Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie this week.

Gaethje captured the lightweight title at the UFC White House event in June, stopping heavy favourite Ilia Topuria in a performance that renewed talk of retirement. The 34-year-old has long framed this stretch as his final run, and Abdelaziz said he would support his client walking away. "If he retired today, I would be so happy because he did everything," Abdelaziz said, per MMA Junkie.

Manager Sets High Bar For Comeback Fight

But if Gaethje does come back, the bar is high. "At the end of the day, it just has to be a massive fight," Abdelaziz said. He declined to name specific opponents, noting that the landscape will shift considerably between now and next year. "You never know, bro," he added. "There's a lot of options. The UFC is so busy right now, let them do what they do."

Gaethje has fought twice in 2026 and deserves the layoff, according to his manager. As the undisputed champion, Gaethje holds the leverage to dictate terms. "All these guys have to chase him," Abdelaziz said. "He's the boss."

Abdelaziz pointed to UFC president Dana White as the ultimate arbiter of what constitutes a massive fight, suggesting any comeback will hinge on the promotion's willingness to build a marquee matchup. Gaethje shut down an immediate Topuria rematch after the White House event, telling reporters the Georgian quit twice during their bout.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Justin Gaethje’s manager shares timeline for UFC champion’s return: ‘It has to be massive’