Justin Gaethje’s manager rules out Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira rematches in latest title defense update

Justin Gaethje’s manager has provided an enormous update regarding the champion’s first title defense.

This past June, Justin Gaethje pulled off a monumental upset when he dethroned Ilia Topuria of the undisputed lightweight title within the UFC Freedom 250 most important event.

After pulling off such a triumph, ‘The Highlight’ is now reaping the rewards of his success while he sits and assesses his options going forward.

And with that, his manager Ali Abdelaziz has dropped a serious hint regarding his first title defense despite Gaethje being told to retire at the highest of his game.

Should Justin Gaethje retire following his undisputed title win?🤔

On his third attempt, Justin Gaethje finally became the undisputed lightweight champion, pulling off considered one of the most important upsets in combat sports history👏🏼

Gaethje’s manager confirms fresh matchup as he shuts down rematches for first title defense

After admitting that it’s ‘highly unlikely’ that he fights again this 12 months, fans have been wondering who the 37-year-old will defend his title against next.

‘El Matador’ called for a right away rematch with the American, hoping that it could happen in Spain.

The lightweight champion was in attendance for UFC 329 this past Saturday, watching on with a keen eye as Conor McGregor and Max Holloway clashed within the most important event, which ended disastrously.

Within the co-main event, his former foe Paddy Pimblett pulled off a slick submission over Benoit Saint-Denis, returning to the win column.

Despite that, Abdelaziz has stated that Gaethje’s first title defense might be against someone he has never fought before, shutting down rematches with Topuria, Pimblett, Holloway and Charles Oliveira.

“The champ’s next fight might be against someone he’s never fought before. I’m really excited for this matchup,” Abdelaziz wrote on X.

Following Gaethje’s title win, Oliveira immediately campaigned for a rematch against him, stating that he would sit out and wait for that to be his next fight.

But with rematches having been shut down, that seemingly leaves just one man who is smart and that’s the rightful primary contender, Arman Tsarukyan.

Although the Armenian hasn’t fought since last November, he has been staying lively by competing in Real American Freestyle Wrestling.

And after the UFC were told it must be Tsarukyan fighting for the title next, it seems as if all roads are resulting in that being the consequence.

Tsarukyan is the one fighter in the highest five of the lightweight division who Gaethje hasn’t fought yet.

Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, though, he’ll likely need to wait until the turn of the brand new 12 months to finally fight for the undisputed lightweight title.