Din Thomas isn’t sure Justin Gaethje can have a better moment than he did at UFC Freedom 250.
Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) pulled off a stunning upset by dethroning Ilia Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) to claim the lightweight title in Sunday’s main event at the White House in Washington DC. Not only did Gaethje hand Topuria his first-career loss, but he inflicted enough damage to cause doctors to intervene and his corner to stop the fight at the end of Round 4.
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Emerging victorious on the White House grounds as part of a celebration of America’s birthday is the perfect setting for Gaethje to call it a career, according to Thomas.
“I feel it’s the time to walk away,” Thomas told MMA Junkie. “You can’t get any better. You can’t top this. But that’s me looking from the outside. I don’t know how he feels about his career and so forth. He’s the most entertaining fighter ever, has had one of the most iconic careers, the stats. You won’t top that, and he did top that on Sunday night. He won’t be able to top any of it. Now I guess it comes down to maybe, I guess, money. And him fighting for money.
“Because how can you top any of that stuff? I’m leaning toward I want to see him retire. He’s great. He’s always going to be remembered. Whenever he steps into an arena, he’s always going to get the louder pop. He’ll never have to pay for a beer in Colorado. For me, I feel like he should just retire. But if, in his heart, he’s like, ‘Yo, I ain’t going out like that, I still want to put on more,’ then more power to him. But for me, I would like to see him to just retire on top.”
Three fights that ‘truly make sense’ for Justin Gaethje
Gaethje refused to commit to retirement after finally claiming the undisputed UFC belt in his third attempt. Thomas thinks a few fights would be worth “The Highlight” sticking around.
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“There are three fights I would be OK with him coming back for,” Thomas said. “Conor McGregor, not only just for the money, but there’s something about beating Conor. When you look at Justin, Justin is one of the most perfect type of fighters in that he’s entertaining and good at what he does. I would be OK with Justin and Conor. Then I would also be OK with Justin and Max (Holloway), because you’ve got to get that one back. He can get that one back. That’s something personal for him. Then I’d also be OK with him vs. Charles Oliveira for the BMF, to unify the BMF and the undisputed. I would be OK with that.
“Those are the only three fights I think would actually truly make sense. For as great as Arman is and his stock rose not fighting, I don’t think Arman fits into the equation.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC analyst: Justin Gaethje ‘won’t be able to top’ White House win
