Demetrious Johnson believes UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has nothing left to accomplish.
Gaethje (28-5 MMA, 11-5 UFC) pulled off a shocking upset to dethrone Ilia Topuria in Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250 main event at the White House in Washington DC. Gaethje not only handed Topuria (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) his first-career loss, he beat him badly and rendered him unable to continue at the end of Round 4.
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A two-time interim lightweight champion, Gaethje finally made good on becoming undisputed champ in his third attempt. Former UFC flyweight champion Johnson wants to see “The Highlight” retire after achieving his career-defining moment.
“There is nothing left for Justin Gaethje to do,” Johnson said on his YouTube channel. “World Series of Fighting champion, he’s made so much money in mixed martial arts. He probably double bonused tonight, and I think the bonuses were $485,000. He is an undisputed lightweight champion, he’s been the interim champion of the world. There’s nothing left for (Gaethje) to do.
“You guys might hate me for this, but the best thing Justin Gaethje can do is retire. He should retire on this amazing victory against a legend like Ilia Topuria. You retire on top, you save your brain cells, you ride off into the sunset. You beat one of the best athletes. You gave him his first f*cking defeat. Ride away with the White House belt and the undisputed lightweight championship belt.”
Gaethje refused to comment on retirement in his post-fight octagon speech with Joe Rogan.
“I promised my mom I wouldn’t make a decision tonight,” Gaethje said.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC legend urges Justin Gaethje to retire, go out on top
