Justin Gaethje Contemplates Retirement Following Recent Championship Performance

At 37 years old, Justin Gaethje is considering retirement despite pressure from fans and observers to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan. Gaethje, who has been a professional since 2011 with a long history of high-intensity bouts, stated that he does not feel he has anything left to prove in the sport. He emphasized that his primary motivation for stepping away would be to protect his health and maintain his faculties.

While potential high-profile matchups against opponents like Tsarukyan remain on the table, Gaethje confirmed he will not return to the cage for the remainder of 2026. The champion noted that he is currently managing injuries and remains undecided on whether his fighting career will continue. For now, he intends to enjoy his status as champion while evaluating his next steps as both a business and life decision.