Anik predicts Gaethje will rematch Topuria for lightweight title in 2027

UFC commentator Jon Anik has predicted that Justin Gaethje’s first title defence will be a rematch against Ilia Topuria, the man he stopped earlier this summer to claim the undisputed lightweight championship at UFC White House.

“I think there are internal conversations to potentially try to do Gaethje vs. Topuria 2,” Anik said on the Anik Bros YouTube channel. “A lot of people wonder aloud, ‘What is next for Ilia Topuria?’ And there’s certainly an obvious foundation for a fight between him and Paddy Pimblett. But if you have Ilia Topuria, as a fight promoter, would you not want to think about putting him back in a championship setting, given how big UFC Freedom 250 was? I think there’s strong consideration there.”

Gaethje’s corner stoppage of Topuria was the defining moment of the American’s career, ending the Georgian’s unbeaten record and delivering one of the most significant upsets in recent lightweight history. Gaethje has since indicated he will not fight again until 2027, citing the physical toll of the bout.

The lightweight division is far from idle in the meantime. Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira — both of whom hold wins over Gaethje — have publicly lobbied for a title shot, while Arman Tsarukyan faces Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 in what Anik describes as an undeniable title eliminator.

“For me, I think you do Paddy Pimblett vs. Charles Oliveira,” Anik added. “If you want to sweeten the pot and put the BMF belt on the line, so be it. But ultimately, Oliveira vs. Pimblett is as much an eliminator as Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy. So there’s a lot to sort of unpack at the top of the lightweight division right now.”

Despite the crowded contender landscape, Anik believes Topuria remains the frontrunner whenever Gaethje does return. He also suggested the champion’s motivation may be financial as much as competitive.

“I think Justin is far more concerned with his show money than with who he’s actually fighting,” Anik said. “If Arman Tsarukyan beats Mauricio Ruffy and is able to finish him, potentially, I think that fight could be made expeditiously. I don’t know what Ilia Topuria’s timeline is, but my non-informed speculation is that Gaethje vs. Topuria 2 would be absolutely enormous, and I guess, predictively, that’s what I think is going to happen.”