Matt Brown scoffs at anybody telling Justin Gaethje he should retire now: ‘What we’re doing is prize fighting’

The discussion follows a hypothetical scenario presented in the original context where Justin Gaethje recently secured a stunning upset victory over Ilia Topuria at a fictional "UFC White House card," a result that, within this narrative, culminated in Gaethje finally achieving his long-stated dream of becoming the undisputed UFC lightweight champion. While many suggest that this pinnacle achievement offers the perfect "storybook ending" for "The Highlight’s" illustrious career, Brown firmly believes such advice overlooks the fundamental financial realities of professional combat sports.

"That’s what we talk about all the time on here – don’t forget what we’re doing is prize fighting," Brown stated, underscoring the commercial imperative that drives athletes at the sport’s highest echelons. "Justin’s value is higher than it’s ever been. Take advantage of this s*** while you can."

Gaethje, known for his relentless, high-octane fighting style and a career punctuated by numerous Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses, has long been a marquee attraction for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). His professional record of 25 wins and 4 losses (as of the last verifiable real-world data) is a testament to his prowess, though it notably includes previous unsuccessful bids for the undisputed lightweight title against Khabib Nurmagomedov in October 2020 and Charles Oliveira in May 2022. The fictional victory over Ilia Topuria would mark a significant turning point, finally securing the championship belt that had eluded him.

The narrative surrounding the purported win over Topuria paints a picture of a massive underdog triumph. Ilia Topuria, in real-world competition, is the undefeated UFC Featherweight Champion, holding a pristine professional record of 15-0, including a decisive victory over Alexander Volkanovski to claim his title. The prospect of Gaethje, a natural lightweight, facing and overcoming Topuria, especially under "massive underdog" conditions, would undoubtedly be an monumental feat. The article describes Gaethje entering the fight almost "like a lamb to the slaughter," only to survive early adversity and then unleash his signature brand of striking and ground-and-pound, ultimately forcing a fourth-round stoppage after battering Topuria. This moment, as described, would indeed be unforgettable, a testament to Gaethje’s resilience and unyielding offensive capabilities.

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However, for Matt Brown, a veteran of 29 UFC fights himself, this victory is not a cue for departure but rather a launchpad for unprecedented opportunity. Brown, nicknamed "The Immortal" for his own tenacious fighting spirit and durability throughout a career that saw him compete against some of the toughest welterweights in the world, transitioned into media following his retirement, offering insights from a fighter’s perspective. He argues that this championship win grants Gaethje significant leverage for negotiating substantially larger purses, a privilege reserved for reigning champions who drive pay-per-view sales.

Beyond the immediate financial gains, Brown also contends that Gaethje’s legacy, while already solidified as one of the most exciting and fan-friendly fighters in UFC history, still has room for growth. While "The Highlight" is revered for his thrilling performances and willingness to engage in wars, he is not yet universally placed in the same rarefied air as athletes widely considered the "greatest of all-time," such as former light heavyweight king Jon Jones (multiple title defenses, two-division champion), undefeated lightweight icon Khabib Nurmagomedov (undefeated, long-reigning champion), or former welterweight and middleweight champion Georges St-Pierre (long title reigns, dominant performances). These fighters are often cited for their sustained dominance, multiple title defenses, and comprehensive skill sets that transcended their respective eras.

"He’s not in a top five pound-for-pound [all-time] argument," Brown asserted. "He’s not even in a top greatest lightweights argument really. He doesn’t have anything to lose going for it. He’s playing with house money." This perspective suggests that Gaethje, having achieved his primary goal, now operates without the immense pressure of securing that elusive first undisputed title. Any subsequent victories or title defenses would only serve to enhance his standing without risking a significant diminishment of his already established reputation.

Looking ahead to potential opponents, Brown highlighted several compelling matchups that could further cement Gaethje’s legacy. Arman Tsarukyan, currently ranked as a top contender in the lightweight division, presents a significant challenge. Tsarukyan (22-3, 11-2 UFC) has emerged as one of the most promising talents in the lightweight division, known for his elite wrestling, powerful striking, and relentless pace. A victory over Tsarukyan, Brown believes, would be a "huge notch on the belt" for Gaethje.

Brown also pointed to the strategic advantage of avenging past losses. "Avenging a loss to either Max [Holloway] or Charles [Oliveira], another huge notch on the belt," he commented. Gaethje has indeed suffered defeats to both fighters in his career. His loss to Charles Oliveira in May 2022 for the undisputed lightweight title saw him submitted in the first round, a fight he entered as the challenger. More recently, in a real-world event at UFC 300 in April 2024, Gaethje suffered a devastating knockout loss to Max Holloway in a highly anticipated BMF title bout, a fight that saw both men deliver a performance lauded as one of the greatest in UFC history. While Holloway is primarily a featherweight, his willingness to compete at lightweight and his recent win over Gaethje create a compelling narrative for a potential rematch, especially if Gaethje were to hold the undisputed lightweight title. Charles Oliveira (34-10, 22-10 UFC), a former lightweight champion with the most finishes and submissions in UFC history, remains a perennial threat in the division, making a rematch with Gaethje a high-stakes affair.

Brown’s analysis suggests that these are not merely challenging fights but "winnable fights" for Gaethje, particularly given his championship momentum and the fact he was not "dominated" in his previous encounters with Holloway or Oliveira (excluding the quick submission by Oliveira). He explicitly contrasted these with his loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov, which he acknowledged as a "tough fight" where Khabib’s grappling dominance was evident.

Brown envisions a scenario where Gaethje, after taking some time off to recover from his fictional bout with Topuria, embarks on a "title defense streak" in the coming years. This would not only secure substantial financial rewards but also cultivate "a whole new legacy" for the Arizonan. "Everybody not only talking about how he’s must see TV and one of the greatest, most exciting fighters of all time, bonus machine but now he’s got a legacy of title defenses to go on top of that," Brown concluded, urging Gaethje to "shoot for it. Go for it."

Matt Brown’s comprehensive argument, delivered on The Fighter vs. The Writer, which airs new episodes every Tuesday and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio, strongly positions Justin Gaethje’s future as one ripe with both financial and legacy-defining opportunities, rather than a definitive conclusion.

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