Justin Gaethje’s future inside the UFC Octagon has become a hot topic after his stunning victory over Ilia Topuria at Freedom 250. The American shocked the MMA world by handing Topuria his first professional defeat and capturing the undisputed UFC lightweight title in the historic event held at the White House. While fans continue celebrating the memorable win, questions have already shifted toward whether Gaethje will fight again.Those questions gained fresh attention after US Vice President JD Vance appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience. During the conversation, Vance shared an interesting story from his meeting with Gaethje after the event, suggesting that the fighter’s own mother may already have made up her mind about his retirement.
JD Vance shares funny story about Justin Gaethje’s retirement plans
JD Vance recalled meeting Justin Gaethje following the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House. Curious about the newly crowned champion’s future, Vance asked whether he planned to continue fighting after reaching the top of the sport.According to Vance, Gaethje paused before answering, seemingly unsure of what to say. Before the lightweight champion could respond, his mother stepped in with a quick and confident answer, making it clear that, in her opinion, his fighting days should be over. The light-hearted moment drew laughter during the podcast and immediately sparked debate among MMA fans.Joe Rogan, however, was not convinced that Gaethje had competed for the final time. The longtime UFC commentator suggested that retirement in combat sports is often temporary, especially when major opportunities arise. Rogan said a lucrative offer after such a career-defining performance could easily persuade the American to return for another fight.Although Gaethje has not officially announced his retirement, the discussion has only increased speculation surrounding his next move. The 37-year-old produced one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history by defeating the previously unbeaten Ilia Topuria at Freedom 250. The victory earned him the undisputed lightweight championship and added another memorable chapter to his career.Before UFC 329, Gaethje had already identified Conor McGregor as one of his dream opponents. During an earlier interview, he admitted he was eager to see how McGregor would perform against Max Holloway but also made it clear that he still wants to share the Octagon with the Irish superstar one day.Gaethje explained that facing McGregor would be appealing for several reasons. Beyond the sporting challenge, he acknowledged that fighting one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts would significantly boost both his earnings and his legacy. He also expressed confidence that it would be one of the biggest events the UFC could put together.That potential blockbuster, however, now appears uncertain. McGregor’s comeback at UFC 329 lasted only 69 seconds before a serious knee injury forced the fight to be stopped against Max Holloway. The setback means the former two-division champion now faces surgery and rehabilitation before any return can be considered.
