UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has seemingly leaked the UFC 319 co-main event for August. While speaking in a YouTube video for Ahmed Amwell’s channel, Du Plessis casually announced Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett as the co-headliner for Aug. 16.
The news notably comes on the heels of Gaethje’s manager stating that if he doesn’t get the next crack at the title, he’ll retire. On the flip side, in the case of Paddy Pimblett, the streaking Scouser is just days removed from a staredown with newly minted champion Ilia Topuria, which Dana White said never should have happened.
Based on White’s comments during Saturday’s post-fight press conference, neither Gaethje nor Pimblett will get the next crack at the title. If Dricus Du Plessis is to be believed, the pair might be getting ready to throw down in a No. 1 contender bout.
“It’s going to be a big card, the co-main event is Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje. That’s an awesome fight. Awesome fight.”
Wild if true 😱
🎥 YT / Ahmed Amwell
Based on recent comments from Ali Abdelaziz and Justin Gaethje, however, The Highlight may not be interested in the fight.
Justin Gaethje Plays Coy When Asked About His Next Fight
Leading up to the UFC 317 title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, stated on an episode of Submission Radio that The Highlight may retire if he doesn’t get the next crack at the title.
Gaethje then spoke with MMAFighting’s José Youngs about the situation at Fanatics Fest late last month.
In response to a question about Abdelaziz’s comments, Gaethje played coy while discussing his future.
“We’ll see how it goes. Catch me on a certain day, I’ll tell you a certain thing. It’s a very emotional sport but I try not to speak too out of pocket when I’m emotional, which is right now, so…
“I’m going to fight again in the future, has to be a champion.”
Shortly after, while speaking with MMAJunkie, Dustin Poirier threw his support behind Gaethje’s claim to a crack at the belt.
As he explained to Mike Bohn, Paddy Pimblett is closing in on a title fight, but it’s Gaethje who deserves the next title shot.
Dana White Brushes Off “Wacky” Ultimatum From Justin Gaethje
Following the UFC 317 card, Dana White fielded questions from members of the press during the post-fight press conference. Unsurprisingly, one of those questions was regarding the ultimatum from Gaethje’s team.
“Listen, everybody has their opinions. If you’re thinking about retiring, you know how I feel about that: You should probably retire. We love Justin Gaethje, and Justin Gaethje did step up and he’s been an exciting, fun fighter to have here in the UFC. But to say, ‘Listen, unless you give me a title shot I’m retiring,’ that’s pretty wacky.”
Given that, it sounds like the UFC isn’t going to be giving Gaethje the next crack at the title. Considering White also wasn’t a fan of the Pimblett-Topuria staredown, and made it clear Arman Tsarukyan isn’t next in line, there doesn’t seem to be a clear-cut No. 1 contender at 155.
Instead, it appears as though we have a triangle of contenders in Gaethje, Pimblett, and Tsarukyan, setting the stage for a title eliminator.
Based on Dricus Du Plessis’ comments, that No. 1 contender fight may feature Gaethje and Pimblett, leaving Tsarukyan as the odd man out.
Dricus Du Plessis Leaks UFC 319 Co-Main Event