Justin Gaethje rejects Ilia Topuria rematch, says Tsarukyan next

Justin Gaethje has shut down any talk of an immediate rematch with Ilia Topuria, telling RMC Sport Combat that the former champion needs to return to the win column before getting another crack at the lightweight title.

Gaethje claimed the undisputed UFC lightweight strap at UFC Freedom 250 after weathering an early storm from Topuria, who nearly closed the show in round two. The American rallied over the next two frames, piling on damage until Topuria's corner waved off the fight before the fifth. The loss snapped a 17-fight win streak for the Georgian-Spaniard, who had knocked out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira in consecutive title defenses.

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Gaethje says Arman Tsarukyan more deserving of title shot

Asked about the possibility of running it back, Gaethje made clear that Arman Tsarukyan is ahead in line. "No, he's not fighting me next," Gaethje said, per Sherdog. "Why would he fight me next? Arman deserves it way more than him. I didn't knock him out, I didn't get lucky, I beat him up. He's gonna have to get a win before he fights for a championship."

Gaethje added that Topuria has kept a low profile since the loss and doubted the former champion would even push publicly for an immediate rematch. "He didn't say he wanted a rematch. If he uses his mouth and says, 'I want a rematch,' I will be very surprised," he told RMC Sport Combat. "We haven't even seen him."

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Topuria dropped to 17-1 with the defeat. Gaethje improved to 28-5 and now faces a crowded queue of contenders, including Tsarukyan, Paddy Pimblett, and Holloway, who rebounded with a win at UFC 329.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Justin Gaethje rejects Ilia Topuria’s immediate UFC rematch push