Justin Gaethje Declines Ilia Topuria Rematch, Citing His 'Quitting' During Their Fight
Michael AldonSun, June 21, 2026 at 3:52 AM UTC·3 min readNewly crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has officially shut the door on a rematch with the man he defeated to win the title, Ilia Topuria.
Appearing on a recent episode of Joe Rogan's podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience," alongside his coach, Trevor Wittman, Gaethje made it clear that he has no interest in giving the former champion an immediate second chance:
AdvertisementAdvertisementGaethje's decision comes on the heels of his stunning victory over Topuria at the historic UFC Freedom 250 event, which took place on the White House South Lawn. His promotion to undisputed champion officially ended Topuria's legendary and undefeated run in MMA, which included victories over champions Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.
Gaethje Shuts Down Rematch
When Rogan asked about Topuria's attempt to secure a second fight, Gaethje was straightforward in his response.
AdvertisementAdvertisement"No, he doesn't get a rematch. He can try, but he doesn't get one," Gaethje stated firmly.
While Topuria has established himself as one of the best fighters of his generation, Gaethje believes the lopsided nature of their fight disqualifies him from an immediate rematch. The new champion justified his stance by pointing out how the fight concluded at the White House.
"He quit on the stool. He quit twice. I stopped him twice," Gaethje declared. "What else do I have to f— do?”
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Topuria's corner opted to retire him on his stool before the fifth round, as the damage from Gaethje's relentless assault had become too severe. The loss was the first of Topuria's 18-fight career and ended his reign as a UFC lightweight champion.
Gaethje Suggests Topuria’s Next Opponent
“His next challenge can't be me. He needs to fight Paddy [Pimblett] or someone like that," Gaethje explained.
A fight between Pimblett and Topuria would make sense from a promotional standpoint, as the two have already shared a dramatic altercation outside the cage back in 2022 (h/t MMA Junkie):
In addition, Pimblett reacted to Topuria’s performance similarly to Gaethje, calling the former champion a “quitter.”
During the contest, Gaethje dropped Topuria with a huge right hand and punished him with uppercuts and knees, causing his opponent's face to swell and bleed (via UFC on Paramount+ on X):
Topuria later revealed in a social media post that he lost vision in one eye during the fight, which contributed to his corner's decision to stop it:
AdvertisementAdvertisementGaethje On Retirement
Despite his age of 37 and previous speculation about retirement, Gaethje confirmed on the podcast that he plans to continue fighting.
"Right now I'm planning on [fighting again]. There's not something natural in me that feels like it's over," Gaethje told Rogan.
The victory at UFC Freedom 250 secured Gaethje's first undisputed UFC title after several prior attempts, and he now holds the lightweight belt. By suggesting Topuria should fight rising star Paddy Pimblett, Gaethje has laid out the lightweight division's immediate future.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
