Justin Gaethje accomplished a remarkable victory at UFC Freedom 250, held in Washington, D.C. He defeated the undefeated champion Ilia Topuria in the UFC Lightweight Championship unification fight, taking place near the White House on Sunday. At 37, Gaethje entered the match as an underdog but dominated from the start. Gaethje inflicted significant damage on Topuria’s face and continued to land damaging kicks and punches in the subsequent rounds.
After the fourth round, Topuria’s corner requested a stoppage due to excessive damage. He left the arena with assistance from his team and was later taken to a hospital for evaluation. Gaethje’s victory crowned him the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion. However, he did not confirm his retirement plans after the fight.
Demetrious Johnson, a former UFC Flyweight Champion, believes Gaethje should retire following this major win. He argues that retiring on a high note saves brain cells and allows Gaethje to exit gracefully. Johnson, known as “Mighty Mouse,” retired in 2023 after defending the ONE Flyweight Championship. He is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on July 9.
Post-victory, Joe Rogan interviewed Gaethje in the cage and touched upon retirement. Gaethje mentioned he had promised his mother to decide on retirement after the event. Gaethje boasts a 28-5 career record, with 21 wins by knockout. His triumph over Topuria marks his third consecutive win. His last loss was to Max Holloway. Gaethje’s defeats also include notable fighters like Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Retiring at the peak of success is a choice few athletes make. Some prefer the thrill of the sport but risk embarrassing exit performances. Given Gaethje’s major win, retiring now may offer a perfect close to his MMA career.