Amidst Justin Gaethje`s UFC retirement ultimatum, former champion Kamaru Usman has suggested an alternative scenario that could entice “The Highlight” to compete again, even without a championship belt on the line.
Gaethje clearly stated his demands following an impressive bounce-back victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 earlier this year. After Ilia Topuria was crowned the new lightweight champion, Gaethje, alongside Paddy Pimblett and Arman Tsarukyan, emerged as top contenders vying for the first shot at the Spaniard.
To bolster his chances, Gaethje threatened to retire if he isn`t chosen to face Topuria next. However, Kamaru Usman, one of his prominent teammates, believes the promotion has another option to draw the always entertaining lightweight star back.
Kamaru Usman believes Justin Gaethje would accept a non-title UFC fight if it is at the White House
During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast, co-hosted with fellow former UFC champion Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman suggested that Gaethje`s title fight or retirement ultimatum might not be entirely rigid.
`The Nigerian Nightmare` (Usman`s moniker) pointed to next year`s planned White House event as an occasion his teammate would likely want to be involved in. Usman believes a title would not be required to persuade Gaethje to agree to such a fight.
“Justin Gaethje on the (White House) card, I think that’s a no-brainer,” Usman stated. “Against Paddy Pimblett? I see it. And I think in a circumstance and a situation like that, I think that’s something that Justin Gaethje might get up for.”
“I think that’s the only case when he entertains a fight like that and it not be for the title,” Usman added.
Justin Gaethje previously planned to beat Ilia Topuria before defending the title at UFC White House
Interestingly, Justin Gaethje himself had previously addressed the possibility of being part of a UFC event at the White House, but his vision differed from Usman`s suggestion.
Speaking during a Q&A ahead of UFC 318 last July, Gaethje revealed his plan to first beat Ilia Topuria this year, and then return in 2026 to defend his gold at the celebration of American independence.
“That’s the fight that I want. Obviously, I’m biased. I’m going to fight for what I feel like I deserve,” Gaethje said about challenging Topuria. “We’re all biased toward ourselves. It’s me or Arman. I believe somebody has to fight him this year, and I think I’m in a better spot than Arman.”
“I hope it’s at MSG, New York City,” Gaethje continued. “I get to fight him, and I get to defend it on the White House lawn.”
However, this plan has already been impacted by the confirmation of two other title fights at UFC 322, making his original scenario less likely.
