Justin Gaethje is expected to make a decision about his fighting future around Christmas, with the UFC lightweight champion taking time to recover before determining whether he will compete again.
During a recent appearance on the Double Coverage Podcast, Gaethje was asked whether he pays attention to the speculation surrounding his potential retirement or return to competition.
The 37-year-old admitted that he follows the discussion closely but stressed that the final decision will be his to make. While his family has differing opinions about what he should do next, Gaethje revealed that his brother is firmly against the idea of him walking away from the sport.
“Well, I mean, it's obviously my decision, but yeah, I listen to everything. Yeah, I hear everything. I read comments, but ultimately, I have an amazing family, parents, siblings. My brother definitely does not want me to stop. My brother is 100% on, you know, (keep moving) forward,” Gaethje said.
However, the lightweight champion acknowledged that there is no immediate pressure to make a decision, particularly given his current injury situation.
“But yeah, everybody else, we're just kind of figuring it out. They know that I'm hurt right now, they know I can't fight again this year, so they kind of just want me to enjoy this (moment). Recover, rest, recover, enjoy what I have accomplished. And then I think we're all gonna around Christmas time probably have a conversation about what's next.”
Gaethje has not competed since defeating Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 to capture the UFC lightweight championship. The victory represented another major achievement in an already accomplished career, but his latest comments suggest that his immediate priority is getting healthy rather than rushing back into the Octagon.
There could also be a potentially historic opportunity waiting for him if he decides to continue competing.
Following his recent victory over Movsar Evloev, featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski suggested the possibility of a superfight against Gaethje. The Australian even floated the idea that both champions could potentially walk away from the sport afterward.
