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'I’ll Hang Up the Gloves' – UFC Star Warns Dana White After Title Snub

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 3:55 PM ET

UFC 317 is shaping up to be a mega event, with high stakes and elite names headlining the card. Ilia Topuria is making an aggressive leap—challenging immediately for the lightweight title—and he’ll have to go through the ultra-resilient Charles Oliveira to claim it. The card is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. But while the spotlight burns bright on the main event, there's one lightweight contender who’s glaringly absent from the picture—and he’s not staying silent about it.

Former interim champion Justin Gaethje has made his frustration known. According to UFC commentator Jon Anik, who spoke with Gaethje in May on the Anik & Florian Podcast, the fighter was flat-out 'pissed' about being passed over for the UFC 317 title opportunity.

Now, his longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz has added more fuel to the fire. Speaking with Submission Radio on YouTube, Abdelaziz said:

'Justin Gaethje [should] fight the winner. He won three of his last four. He saved the UFC two times… The guy did so much for the sport. And if anyone said he doesn’t deserve it—he said, "I’m not going to fight for the title, I’m just going to hang up my gloves."'

'He said, "I feel disrespected. I love being a UFC fighter. I love the UFC, but I feel the UFC have to love me back."'

The UFC, and Dana White specifically, now face a pivotal decision. Should Gaethje be granted the next title shot? Or will rising contenders like Arman Tsarukyan or the surging Paddy Pimblett jump the line?

A rematch scenario isn’t off the table either. Gaethje recently bounced back in impressive fashion at UFC 313, where he defeated Rafael Fiziev by unanimous decision in a dominant three-round showing in the co-main event. For Gaethje, however, the time for patience may be running out.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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