Justin Gaethje Opens Up on Injuries That Will Keep Him Out Until 2027

Newly minted UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has opened up about why fans won’t see him defend his title in 2026. Gaethje first won the interim 155-pound title earlier this year at UFC 324, defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decison. After that, in June, at UFC Freedom 250, Gaethje locked horns with then-undefeated reigning lightweight champion Ilia Topuria to unify the belts. “The Highlight” entered the June 14 showdown as a massive underdog. Still, he flipped the script as the bout progressed and ended up dethroning Topuria to become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion. Gaethje won in Round 4 via…