UFC commentator Jon Anik has suggested the promotion is likely to pursue a rematch between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria, as fans await the lightweights’ next moves.
In June, Gaethje scored a surprising TKO of Topuria at the White House, handing the Spanish-Georgian his first professional loss and taking the 155lb title from him.
Gaethje has since said he will not fight again this year, while also toying with the idea of retiring from mixed martial arts. Meanwhile, Topuria released his first public statement on his loss last week.
As fans await an official update from the UFC, Anik discussed the matter on the Anik Bros YouTube channel, saying: “I think there are internal conversations to potentially try to do Gaethje vs Topuria 2.
“A lot of people wonder aloud, ‘What is next for Ilia Topuria?’, and there is certainly an obvious foundation for a fight between him and Paddy Pimblett.”
Anik was referencing the longstanding grudge between Topuria and Liverpool’s Pimblett, stemming from a hotel bust-up in London in 2022.
“But if you have Ilia Topuria, as a fight promoter, would you not want to maybe think about putting him back in a championship setting, given how big UFC Freedom 250 was?” Anik continued, referring to the White House card. “I think there’s strong consideration there.
“You have Arman Tsarukyan fighting Mauricio Ruffy [on 19 September], it’s undeniably a lightweight-title eliminator. For me, I think you do Paddy Pimblett vs Charles Oliveira; if you want to sweeten the pot and put the BMF [Baddest Motherf*****] belt on the line, so be it, but ultimately Oliveira vs Pimblett is as much an eliminator as Tsarukyan vs Ruffy.
“So, there’s a lot to sort of unpack at the top of the lightweight division right now, but as a fight fan, I think the biggest fight you can make – with respect to Max Holloway – is Paddy Pimblett vs Charles Oliveira.”
When asked about Gaethje’s future, given the American star’s hints at a possible retirement, Anik added: “I don’t know. I think he probably is going to fight, if you take manager Ali Abdelaziz at his word.
“I thought [Gaethje’s] mum would maybe be like, ‘Justin, this is a great note upon which to go out,’ but I don’t think it’s gonna be up to Justin. I say that with all due respect.
“I think Justin’s far more concerned with his show money than he is with who he’s actually fighting. If Arman Tsarukyan is able to beat Mauricio Ruffy and is able to finish him potentially, I think that fight [Gaethje vs Tsarukyan] could be made expeditiously.
“I don’t know what Ilia Topuria’s timeline is, but my non-informed speculation – and I don’t know how you feel about this – is that Gaethje vs Topuria 2, a rematch, would be absolutely enormous. And predictively, that’s what I think is going to happen.”
Gaethje, 37, entered UFC Freedom 250 as interim lightweight champion, possessing that status for the second time in his career. By beating Topuria, 29, he finally achieved his dream of becoming undisputed champion.
Meanwhile, the result marked the end of Topuria’s run as lightweight champion after he won the vacant belt in June 2025. Topuria collected the title by knocking out Oliveira, having given up the featherweight strap earlier in 2025.
