“The guy did so much for the sport. If anyone said he doesn’t deserve it, he said, ‘If I’m not going to fight for the title, I’m just going to hang up my gloves,’” Justin Gaethje‘s manager made it crystal clear that the lightweight would no longer let the UFC snub his title shot. This may seem like a potential threat to the UFC matchmakers. But many are pointing out how Gaethje has already hung up his boots.

The Highlight’s retirement news has taken over the internet with a newfound frenzy, finding its way to X. After Dustin Poirier‘s stinging exit from the lightweight division, has Gaethje followed suit?

Justin Gaethje’s retirement explained

In simple words, no. Justin Gaethje has not retired from the UFC yet. That door is still very much tempting for the lightweight fighter if the UFC matchmakers refuse to give him that title shot. However, as of now, that remains just a possibility and does not imply his retirement. But why did these murmurs begin in the first place?

We already know Gaethje and his saga with title shots have been notorious. Easily one of the spiciest narratives in the UFC, Gaethje had his shots but couldn’t make anything out of it. But the Highlight hasn’t quite given up yet, especially after his fierce comeback since Charles Oliveira choked the belt out of his sight at UFC 274. Unfortunately, that title shot still hasn’t come by for Gaethje.

Following his manager’s comments on the retirement situation, numerous MMA fans extended that joke, taking to X. One user sarcastically framed it, “Justin Gaethje has announced his retirement upon hearing he will not be getting his Make-A-Wish title shot granted to him. What was your favorite moment from “The Highlight’s” career?”

If you don’t know what a Make-A-Wish title shot is, well, it’s just a slang term for an ‘undeserved’ claim at the division belt. Looks like Justin Gaethje’s demands for a fight against Ilia Topuria have become a running joke for the fans. An NBACentel parody account for MMA has also joined the beat. Moreover, fans spammed the comment section with GIFs and videos of the Highlight getting knocked out by Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway.

Apparently, people don’t want Gaethje fighting for the belt again. But could these rumours bring Gaethje to the UFC’s attention?

Does Justin Gaethje deserve another title shot?

The Highlight has already gotten his title shot twice. He challenged the Dagestani phenom Khabib Nurmagomedov. The ‘Eagle’ forced Gaethje to tap out with a triangle choke in the second round. But Gaethje worked his way up again in 2022, which ended in a similar way when Oliveira tapped him out.

Since then, Gaethje’s journey has been up and down, with Max Holloway ending his 2-fight win streak with a fifth-round KO that is etched in the history books. His recent UD win against Rafael Fiziev is a remarkable comeback, but just not enough when stacked against the packed lightweight division.

Arman Tsarukyan recently raved the crowds with a statement win against Dan Hooker, which earned him compliments from his previous challenger and former lightweight powerhouse, Islam Makhachev. Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway are heating the scene, too, with a potential rematch in sight.

Ilia Topuria himself wants to fight Paddy Pimblett next, choosing the Liverpool fighter over Justin Gaethje.

“If it were up to me, I think I’d rather fight Paddy because there’s a history. And I think it would be a much more entertaining fight for the fans. At the end of the day, I compete to entertain everyone and give them a unique experience, and I think with Paddy, we can achieve that,” ‘El Matador’ explained.

It looks like that title shot is out of reach for Justin Gaethje at the moment. Although his retirement talks might strike a chord with the matchmakers, many fans have made it clear that they don’t want Gaethje to get the title shot again. Would you like to see Topuria take on Gaethje?