Newly crowned UFC Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje has confirmed he plans to fight again, despite earlier speculation about his retirement. He recently defeated Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250, and Gaethje believes Topuria made a "glaring mistake" that cost him the fight. Gaethje has also shut down any talk of an immediate rematch with Topuria, stating that Topuria "quit twice" during their bout. It seems Gaethje is looking forward, not back, as he plans his next title defense.
Sources (14)
We summarise the day's news in our own words. Full credit to the outlets below for the original reporting, click through to read their work.
- New UFC champ Gaethje 'planning' to fight again (ESPN MMA)
- Usman moving up to face Du Plessis on July 18 (ESPN MMA)
- Ilia Topuria's glaring mistake cost him the fight at UFC Freedom 250, claims Justin Gaethje (MMA Weekly)
- Kape topples Horiguchi for fourth straight KO (ESPN MMA)
- Ilia Topuria's glaring mistake cost him the fight at UFC Freedom 250, claims Justin Gaethje (Yahoo Sports)
- Justin Gaethje shuts down Ilia Topuria immediate rematch: ‘He quit twice’ (Yahoo Sports)
- Dricus Du Plessis Meets Kamaru Usman In UFC Oklahoma City Main Event As Usman Jumps To Middleweight (MiddleEasy)
- Dana White mocks Tom Aspinall’s ‘insane’ decision to sign with Eddie Hearn (Bloody Elbow)
- Dana White: 'Alex Pereira is not a whiner,' backs outrage at Herb Dean (Yahoo Sports)
- Justin Gaethje shuts down Ilia Topuria immediate rematch: ‘He quit twice’ (MMA Mania)
- Did Ronda Rousey celebrate too soon? Dana White teases ‘huge’ UFC Freedom 250 global ratings release (Bloody Elbow)
- Dana White explains why UFC has delayed using Trevor Wittman’s new fighter gloves: “It’s impossible” (BJPENN.com)
- Kyoji Horiguchi releases statement following UFC Vegas 119 knockout loss, ‘I’m truly sorry’ (Yahoo Sports)
- Kyoji Horiguchi releases statement following UFC Vegas 119 knockout loss – ‘I’m truly sorry’ (MMA Mania)
Split from that day's roundup, so the sources listed are the full set behind the whole edition rather than this story alone.
This story ran in the June 22, 2026 edition of the daily show.