Justin Gaethje's manager may have just teased his next fight
Newly minted UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje's next fight may already be in the works, and if Ali Abdelaziz is to be believed, it'll be against a new opponent.
Justin Gaethje's next fight is one of the most discussed topics in MMA. While a specific opponent has yet to be outlined, his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently took to X to tease a matchup involving one of the UFC champions he manages. If it is Gaethje he's talking about, the bout may be against an opponent 'The Highlight' has never faced before.
Justin Gaethje's next challenger could be a new opponent
Ali Abdelaziz didn't name the champion to whom he's referring on his X post. So, it's possible that he's also referring to Islam Makhachev, who is the current UFC welterweight champion and currently scheduled to face Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. After all, the Irishman is an opponent that Makhachev has never fought before, and the statement could simply be Abdelaziz expressing his excitement for the bout. However, if he is talking about Justin Gaethje, who recently dethroned Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title at UFC Freedom 250, then it means Gaethje won't be facing Charles Oliveira, Paddy Pimblett, Max Holloway, or Topuria next.
"The champ's next fight will be against someone he's never fought before. I'm really excited for this matchup."
The champ’s next fight will be against someone he’s never fought before. I’m really excited for this matchup.
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) July 13, 2026
That statement rules out every other top five lightweight besides Arman Tsarukyan, who was once scheduled to take on then lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. Unfortunately, a back injury suffered while cutting weight caused Tsarukyan to withdraw from the bout a day before the fight was set to take place. Since then, Tsarukyan has defeated Dan Hooker via second-round submission at UFC Fight Night 265 and has wrestled at several RAF events. A bout with Tsarukyan would present Gaethje with a stylistic challenge he is eager to prove himself against.
However, besides fights with Topuria and Pimblett, both of whom Gaethje beat, fights with Oliveira and Holloway could still prove interesting. They are the last two fighters to beat Gaethje, with Oliveira having submitted in round one at UFC 274. Meanwhile, Holloway scored a stunning last-minute knockout in round five at UFC 300. At 37 years old, there isn't much left for Gaethje to accomplish, except avenging his last two losses.
