Justin Gaethje shoots down potential Paddy Pimblett rematch after UFC 329

Justin Gaethje doesn’t have much interest in a rematch with Paddy Pimblett.

Gaethje and Pimblett fought back in January for the interim lightweight title, and it was the American who won a thrilling decision. It’s one of the best fights this year, and after Pimblett secured a first-round submission win in less than a minute at UFC 329 against Benoit Saint Denis, many fans wondered if a rematch would be next for the undisputed belt.

However, Gaethje doesn’t appear too interested in a rematch with Pimblett after he beat Saint-Denis.

“Destined for each other to fight again? No,” Gaethje said on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday.

It’s a surprising take, as Gaethje also seemingly shut down a potential rematch with Ilia Topuria after he surprisingly handed the Georgian-Spaniard his first career loss at UFC White House. So, with Gaethje not interested in either Topuria and Pimblett, it’s unclear who he would want to fight.

But, perhaps he eyes a rematch with Max Holloway at UFC 329, who Gaethje lost to by KO at UFC 300 to lose his BMF belt.

Justin Gaethje’s manager rules out other matchups

Before Gaethje shot down the Pimblett, his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, seemingly did.

After UFC 329, Abdelaziz wrote on X that Gaethje’s next fight wouldn’t be a rematch.

The champ’s next fight will be against someone he’s never fought before. I’m really excited for this matchup,” Abdelaziz wrote on X.

If Abdelaziz is correct, that rules out Topuria, Holloway, Pimblett, and Charles Oliveira. So, the highest-ranked opponent that Gaethje hasn’t fought is Arman Tsarukyan, and after that, it’s Benoit Saint Denis, who is ranked sixth but just lost, so Tsarukyan does seem likely to be Gaethje’s next fight then.

Justin Gaethje is 28-5 as a pro and coming off the TKO win over Ilia Topuria to win the lightweight title.

Who do you think Justin Gaethje should fight next?