Justin Gaethje has revealed he is unlikely to compete again this year after a dominant run to the lightweight championship. He defeated Paddy Pimblett via unanimous decision in January before stopping Ilia Topuria by TKO in the fourth round in June to claim the title.
Justin Gaethje has indicated he is unlikely to return to competition before the end of 2026, giving the lightweight division a prolonged wait for its new champion's first title defense.
Gaethje, now 37, capped a remarkable run through the 155-pound division by stopping Ilia Topuria by TKO in the fourth round in June to claim the lightweight title. Before that, he defeated Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision in January. The American, who trains out of Genesis Training Center, carries a record of 28-5-0 and is one of the most prolific strikers in the division, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Topuria, the pound-for-pound number one fighter entering the bout, suffered his first professional loss, dropping to 17-1-0. The 29-year-old Spaniard had been among the sport's most dangerous finishers, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute and adding consistent takedown threats at nearly two per 15 minutes. The TKO defeat ends his run at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings.
Pimblett, ranked sixth at lightweight before his January loss to Gaethje, falls to 23-4-0. The 31-year-old Englishman from Liverpool is an active offensive fighter, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute with 52 percent accuracy, and had been building toward a title shot before the decision defeat.
Why it matters
- Gaethje's extended absence leaves the lightweight title picture unsettled heading into late 2026
- Topuria, still ranked second at lightweight despite the loss, remains a likely future contender
- Pimblett at sixth in the rankings faces pressure to string wins together to reclaim title contention
- The division's top names will need to compete among themselves to establish the next mandatory challenger
