Henry Cejudo proposes major fights to determine Justin Gaethje's next UFC lightweight title challenger
Henry Cejudo has pitched a plan to choose the next challenger for Justin Gaethje's UFC lightweight title.
Justin Gaethje has lately hinted that he's yet to fully heal from the hand injuries he sustained in his UFC lightweight title-winning TKO against Ilia Topuria in June.
Gaethje has consistently maintained that he's unlikely to compete again this year and would defend his belt no sooner than next year, probably against an opponent other than archrival Topuria.
Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo has chimed in on the debates and discussions surrounding Gaethje's next challenger. "Triple C" proposed a few major fights to determine who'll get a title shot against Gaethje in 2027.
Henry Cejudo names Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Usman Nurmagomedov, and others to determine Justin Gaethje's next opponent
In the latest edition of their Pound 4 Pound podcast, Henry Cejudo and ex-UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman touched upon how the UFC hasn't announced Justin Gaethje's first title challenger.
On his part, Cejudo suggested two fights. One would pit former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Ilia Topuria against his bitter rival Paddy Pimblett. The other fight would have Arman Tsarukyan welcome ex-Bellator MMA lightweight kingpin and reigning PFL lightweight titlist Usman Nurmagomedov to the UFC.
Cejudo stated, "If Justin Gaethje really is that hurt, then check what I'm about to say... You do Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy 'The Baddy' (Pimblett). Check this out. You do Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Arman Tsarukyan."
He made a reference to Kamaru Usman having extensively trained with Gaethje and added, "Whoever performs the best out of all, gets the damn title shot against your boy, Justin 'The Highlight' Gaethje."
Interim UFC lightweight title speculation
A prominent factor at play, which Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman both seemingly acknowledged, was that Usman Nurmagomedov is still in the exclusive negotiation window with the PFL. His PFL deal's last fight transpired at the end of July, and he's disallowed from negotiating with the UFC and organizations other than the PFL for 90 days from the date of his last fight.
Considering that, Cejudo implied that there's no shortage of high-level potential challengers for Justin Gaethje's UFC lightweight belt. The Olympic gold medalist freestyle wrestler signaled that he'd book Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan, both of whom happen to be fierce rivals. Also, he'd have Paddy Pimblett fight ex-UFC lightweight titlist and reigning BMF champ Charles Oliveira.
Elsewhere, he'd have rising star Quillan Salkilld fight former UFC featherweight and BMF champion Max Holloway. Cejudo underscored that if Gaethje is too hurt to fight this year, the UFC ought to crown an interim lightweight champion. He explained:
"I would do Ilia and Arman for the interim. And then I would do Paddy 'The Baddy ' -- the Charles Oliveira matchup. And then I would do Quillan Salkilld -- check this out -- and Max Holloway."
It's noteworthy that ever since his UFC lightweight title victory in June, speculation has abounded that Gaethje could opt to retire, as he's achieved his goal of winning UFC gold. Gaethje, for his part, has hinted that be isn't done with the sport.
Watch Henry Cejudo address Justin Gaethje's possible next challenger below (*comments at the 28:11-minute mark of the video):
