UFC Legend Threatens to 'Retire Immediately' If Dana White Snubs Him

A UFC icon’s manager has threatened that his fighter will retire if Dana White allows one thing to happen.

Just over a week after a dramatic UFC 320 card, which ended in disappointment after Tom Aspinall was unable to continue after sustaining a double eye poke against Ciryl Gane, White has been tasked with solving yet another issue involving one of his fighters.

Later this month, on November 16, Jack Della Maddalena will defend his welterweight championship against Islam Makhachev, who vacated his lightweight crown earlier this year.

Makhachev relinquishing the title meant Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira fought for the vacant belt with the former winning by first-round knockout at UFC 317 back in June of this year.

Topuria has since been linked with a fight against British fighter Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, who beat Michael Chandler by TKO when he last fought at UFC 314 back in April.

And despite most fans being keen on the idea of a fight between the pair, with the Liverpudlian previously claiming that he “hates” Topuria the most out of any UFC fighter, their proposed lightweight title fight could cause UFC president White an unwanted dilemma.

Dana White has a decision to make (Credit:Getty)

The issue is related to 36-year-old veteran fighter Justin Gaethje, who previously held the UFC interim lightweight championship.

Gaethje most recently challenged for the lightweight belt back in May 2022, but fell short against Oliveira as he lost by first-round rear-naked choke at UFC 274.

Since then, he has won three of his four bouts, with his latest fight against Rafael Fiziev being awarded Fight of the Night at UFC 313.

After his win against Fiziev, the ‘The Highlight’ claimed that he wanted another shot at the lightweight title in his next bout, but his wish could be blocked if Pimblett and Topuria’s proposed fight is confirmed, meaning he would either need to sit out or have another fight in the meantime.

Justin Gaethje believes he deserves a title shot (Credit:Getty)

However, his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, issued a strong statement when claiming that his fighter could even retire if he does not get the title shot next ahead of Pimblett.

Abdelaziz told Submission Radio: “I think the UFC is waiting to see what happens with Islam and (Jack Della Maddalena). Also, I think the UFC is waiting to see what happens with Arman (Tsarukyan) and (Dan) Hooker.

“But, I’m telling you this, Justin Gaethje never breaks his word. If he gets jumped by Paddy, he will retire, and he will never fight again in the UFC.

“Justin Gaethje keeps giving the UFC favor after favor after favor. What has Paddy Pimblett done for the UFC to deserve a shot over Justin Gaethje?”