Former UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje still sticks to his stance on the lightweight title battle with Ilia Topuria.
At UFC 317 on June 29, Ilia Topuria became the new lightweight champion when he viciously eliminated Charles Oliveira in the first round, joining the roster of elite names to become champions in two weight classes.
After the battle, when Paddy Pimblett sprints to face immediately, controversy arises when Topuria faces his next opponent.
Nevertheless, after the event, UFC boss Dana White explained his frustration with the situation, claiming that Pimblett should not be called into the cage because it wasn't “not a fight.”
Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC's photos
Justin Gaethje
However, before the UFC 317 main event, former interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje shared his position on the situation and vented his frustration after not being selected.
Therefore, the UFC veteran made an extremely bold statement that he would officially retire if he did not win the title in his next battle.
“El Matador” launched “Highlights” as the potential next opponent, who claimed he was not interested in fighting him, which was not good for Gaethje.
Not only that, but Dana White also begs Gaethje to retire if he has considered doing so.
Still, before this Saturday’s UFC 318, Gaethje took the stage at the ceremony to answer some questions from the media and some fans.
After being asked what the next step is, Gaethje said: “It's me or Arman (Tsarukyan), I believe someone has to fight this year (Topuria), I think I'm better than Arman, so someone's going to fight him.
“I wish it was in Madison Square Garden in New York City, where I could fight him and then I could defend it on the White House lawn.”
Since Donald Trump announced a few weeks ago that he would host a UFC event at the White House, nearly all fighters in the roster have named themselves as hats and competed in the competition.
Max Holloway takes Justin Gaethje
This Saturday, two of Gaethje's former enemies clashed with each other in the UFC 318 main event, with Max Holloway approaching Dustin Poirier in the retirement battle of “Diamonds”.
Before the clash, Holloway called Gaethje the toughest batsman of all time, rejecting Topria despite being the first fighter ever to knock him out.