Justin Gaethje: ''I Am NOT Fighting This Year, I Can Not Even Punch!''

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje will not step into the cage again this year. After a demanding first half of 2026, the undisputed king of the division is stepping away from the spotlight to allow his body time to heal from consecutive battles.

Gaethje experienced a highly successful but physically damaging streak over the last few months. He secured a hard-fought victory against Paddy Pimblett in January, followed by a shocking upset victory over Ilia Topuria in June. While these wins cemented his status at the top, they left him with severe hand injuries. The champion recently shared that he still cannot punch in training, making a return anytime soon impossible.

Instead of rushing back, Gaethje plans to enjoy his status as champion while resting. He intends to sit down with his family and coaches to discuss the pros and cons of his future options. While rumors are swirling about a potential rematch with Topuria, Gaethje remains doubtful that it will happen next. For now, the champion is letting the UFC matchmakers handle the logistics while he focuses entirely on getting healthy for 2027.