Daniel Cormier: There Are No Easy Options for Justin Gaethje

Justin Gaethje currently holds all the cards as the UFC lightweight champion, but according to Daniel Cormier, he needs to tread carefully when deciding how to cap off his remarkable career.

Last June, at the UFC White House event, Gaethje delivered one of the most stunning performances in MMA history. He knocked out Ilia Topuria in the fourth round, pulling off a massive upset to strip him of his undefeated record and claim the undisputed belt. The 37-year-old champion is now weighing his next move with an eye on a title defence in 2027. The contenders are clear: consensus No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan, fresh off a highlight-reel knockout of Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331, and Topuria, who is clamouring for an immediate rematch. Gaethje also has the option to simply walk away from the sport at the very top.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cormier broke down the American's future and explained why reaching a decision will be so difficult.

"When you look at Gaethje and the way he talks about his future and upcoming fights, there are a few factors you have to take into account," Cormier said. "First off, he's 37 or 38 years old. That's up there in age, especially in such a fast-paced division."

"On top of that, you have to look back at UFC Freedom 250, where during fight week Justin's mom openly said she wanted him to stop fighting. Right after the event, it felt like he might listen to her and walk away. But that fire inside him—the thing that makes him so special to everyone—starts calling again. You see another top guy put on a great performance and you start wondering, 'Is that the next guy?'"

Tsarukyan has done everything possible to repair his sometimes rocky relationship with the UFC and build his star power outside the Octagon. That was sorely needed after his last-minute withdrawal from a championship clash against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311—a move that hurt his standing with both fans and UFC CEO Dana White.

Following his emphatic victory over Ruffy, Tsarukyan has made an undeniable case for a title shot. The big question is whether Gaethje has any interest in granting it to him.

"He said himself that the door is open for Arman if he decides to go that route," Cormier added. "Arman Tsarukyan is a massive star right now. Fans appreciate how hard he's worked to build his brand outside the cage, but Gaethje would be a heavy underdog in that fight. Probably a bigger underdog than he deserves to be after what we saw at UFC Freedom 250. But the reality is, as Justin himself admitted, he fought the fight of his life that night."

"Can he run it back and do it again? Because that's what it will take to beat Arman Tsarukyan. And does he even want to?"

Behind door number two is Topuria, who held a claim to the pound-for-pound crown after capturing both featherweight and lightweight gold with knockout wins over legends such as Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski.

The dilemma is whether Gaethje believes he can duplicate or top what he achieved in their first encounter.

"Ilia Topuria is the other option," Cormier noted. "But that carries massive risk, too. Even though Justin got the win, there were moments where Ilia hurt him badly. Justin has been honest about how the fight played out, and you know Ilia will look to fix the things he struggled with—his rhythm and punch timing. Ilia is going to adjust those. It would be fascinating to see what the betting lines look like for a rematch."

"Even if Justin goes that route—what does he have left to prove? He already beat him on the biggest stage the UFC has ever put together. It just doesn't feel like the right move for him."

The deciding factor in the champion's choice will likely come down to the financial package offered by the UFC. Gaethje is one of the most bankable stars in combat sports, having built substantial wealth through 17 post-fight bonuses in 16 Octagon appearances. His triumph at UFC White House alone netted him an extra $825,000 courtesy of 'Fight of the Night' and 'Performance of the Night' honours.

Reigning as champion commands the biggest paydays of Gaethje's career, and Cormier understands the desire to cash in before retiring for good. However, chasing that next massive cheque always comes with inherent risks.

"If you win, the money gets bigger, and the temptation to come back again gets even stronger," Cormier stressed. "It never really stops. The way this game works is that the champion leaves when his time is up. When that day comes, someone else walks you out the door. But as long as the champion shows he can still fight, the money will keep rolling in. Walking away from that temptation—whether you're in it for the money or not—is the hardest thing to do."