Justin Gaethje unlikely to fight again this year, cites need for rest

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 18, 2026, 6:01 PM

Last updated Jun 18, 2026

Justin Gaethje unlikely to fight again this year, cites need for rest

Summary

Justin Gaethje announced it is highly unlikely he will fight again in 2026. He indicated that adequate recovery time is necessary after his recent bouts. Gaethje has participated in two recent Fight of the Year contenders, underscoring the intensity of his recent performances. Following their previous matchup, Ilia Topuria has expressed interest in a rematch with Gaethje.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports Bloody Elbow

Status Watch

•Gaethje believes he needs more time to recover.
•He recently fought in two highly acclaimed matches.
•Topuria wants to challenge Gaethje again.
•Gaethje's timeline for return remains unclear.

Latest Updates

3:15 PMYahoo Sports — Justin Gaethje unlikely to fight again in 2026
6:01 PMBloody Elbow — Justin Gaethje admits it's highly unlikely he fights again this year when providing return update - Bloody Elbow

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