Justin Gaethje Says Both Hands Still Hurt 2 Months After Beating Ilia Topuria

Q: After denying Topuria a rematch, could a looming mega-fight against McGregor tempt the injured champion back into the octagon?

Yes—but only if the timing, weight and money all line up, because Gaethje’s health remains the main obstacle. Right now, Gaethje has said both hands are still too sore to punch anything after the June win over Ilia Topuria, and he has repeatedly indicated he is content to sit out the rest of the year. He also says he has not decided whether he will definitely fight again, though he recently told Joe Rogan he is “planning on it” and does not feel finished. That leaves the door open for a McGregor bout, which is one of the few matchups big enough to alter a champion’s plans. A Gaethje-McGregor fight would be commercially enormous and attractive to UFC matchmakers, especially now that Gaethje has ruled out an immediate Topuria rematch. It is also a fresher option than another defense against a known lightweight contender. But several practical barriers remain. McGregor is scheduled to face Max Holloway at welterweight, and he has publicly said he sees himself as a 170-pound fighter now. Gaethje is the lightweight champion, so any fight would require agreement on weight and stakes. McGregor also needs to win and come through healthy himself. If Gaethje returns on merit alone, Arman Tsarukyan still looks like the cleaner title-defense route, provided he beats Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. If Gaethje returns for the biggest event possible, McGregor is the obvious temptation. For now, though, Gaethje’s injured hands make any immediate comeback unlikely.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Mania · Aug 30

Two months after his June win over Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje said both hands are still injured and he still cannot punch anything.
Gaethje linked the damage to the four-round White House fight, where he absorbed heavy shots before Topuria’s corner stopped the bout and Gaethje left with the belt.
The injuries leave his next move unsettled: Gaethje said he will weigh the pros and cons with family before deciding whether to fight again, though he suggested a return may not come until 2027.
That timeline could shape the lightweight title picture, with Gaethje previously eyeing a defense against Arman Tsarukyan, who first must beat Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on Sept. 19.