Justin Gaethje: It’s ‘absolutely insane’ to finally be UFC champion, reveals timeline to fight again

Justin Gaethje, now the undisputed UFC lightweight champion following his dominant victory over Ilia Topuria at UFC White House, has described the achievement as "absolutely insane" and revealed his timeline for a potential return.

Gaethje's performance on Sunday was the culmination of a career-long pursuit of championship gold. The 37-year-old had previously competed for the undisputed title twice without success, making this breakthrough particularly meaningful. Speaking to The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, Gaethje emphasized how the magnitude of the moment struck him only after the fight concluded. He credited the exceptional production quality and theatrical setting of the event for amplifying the significance of his triumph.

Analyzing his technical dominance, Gaethje attributed his success to precise timing and energy management. He described constantly resetting Topuria's feet every one to two seconds and dissipating incoming strikes through superior positioning and angles. According to Gaethje, his cerebral approach allowed him to execute a near-flawless performance, catching the heavily favored Topuria—ranked No. 2 pound-for-pound heading into the bout—completely off guard. Gaethje emphasized that he entered without expectations, allowing him to adapt freely as the fight unfolded.

Regarding his next steps, Gaethje suggested retirement remains a possibility but appears unlikely to return in 2026. He noted that fighting twice in a single year is rare for him and stressed the physical toll of his recent efforts. While he did not provide a definitive timeline, the new champion indicated any comeback would likely occur in 2027 or beyond, giving him substantial time to recover and contemplate his future in the sport.