Despite recent speculation, including comments from Vice President JD Vance suggesting Justin Gaethje could be walking away from the sport, his manager Ali Abdelaziz has put the retirement talk to rest. He said that the undisputed UFC lightweight champion is not done.
Speaking during an interview, Abdelaziz pointed to 2027 as the return timeline for Gaethje.
“2027, we’ll see Justin Gaethje figh ting,” Abdelaziz said.
He backed that up with context on why Gaethje is taking his time. The champion has been active, appeared recently in the corner for matches, and has simply earned a period away from competition.
“He’s competed two times this year. He deserves some time off,” Abdelaziz said. “He’s still the lightweight champion, undisputed. I think all these guys have to chase him.”
When Gaethje does step back into the cage, Abdelaziz made clear the match has to be the right one.
“He wants to be in a big match. A big match. What is the big match? Who decides that?” he said. “What is the biggest match they can make?”
Several names are already in the conversation. A rematch with Max Holloway carries real weight, and depending on how a potential Charles Oliveira versus Arman Tsarukyan matchup plays out, the winner could enter the picture as well. Abdelaziz did not point to any single matchup, noting that the UFC has a packed schedule and the right opportunity will present itself.
Abdelaziz did acknowledge one thing plainly: if Gaethje chose to call it a career today, he would have nothing but respect for that decision.
“I would like to see Justin Gaethje, if he retire today I’ll be so happy because he did everything he has done,” he said. “And if he wants to choose to compete one more time, he can compete one more time because nobody tells him what to do. He’s the boss.”
