Justin Gaethje's Return to UFC Delayed Until 2027

Justin Gaethje is not expected to return to the UFC until 2027 at the earliest, as stated by his manager Ali Abdelaziz in a recent interview.

Gaethje, who won the lightweight title at a UFC event in June by defeating Ilia Topuria, has indicated that this phase of his career may be his last. Abdelaziz expressed support for Gaethje's potential retirement, noting that he has accomplished everything in the sport.

If Gaethje does decide to fight again, Abdelaziz emphasized that it would need to be a significant matchup, although he did not specify any potential opponents. He mentioned that the UFC landscape could change significantly by next year, and that UFC president Dana White would play a key role in determining what constitutes a major fight.