Gaethje Says He Won't Return Until 2027

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje says he remains far from ready to return to the Octagon, with hand injuries suffered in his win over Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 still not fully healed.

Gaethje captured undisputed lightweight gold in that fight but walked away banged up, and had already signaled doubt about fighting again in 2026.

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"I still can't punch anything. Both of my hands are still hurt from the fight so I'm just going to enjoy being the champion for the rest of the year because I fought two times already in the first six months. Put everything on paper, pros and cons, talk to my family and everybody that loves me to be honest with me and then I'll make a decision," Gaethje

With Gaethje sidelined into 2027, the lightweight picture remains unsettled. Arman Tsarukyan's team has been told a win over Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on September 19 would guarantee "Batman" the next title shot — a wait Tsarukyan may not mind given his busy schedule outside the UFC, including freestyle wrestling commitments.

Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway also remain in the conversation, with both holding finishing wins over Gaethje in the past; Oliveira likely sits ahead of Holloway in line after beating him back in March. Gaethje, for his part, has said he'd welcome the chance to avenge both losses whenever he's ready to return.