Justin Gaethje's manager says Ilia Topuria 'doesn't call the shots'

Ali Abdelaziz, manager for newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, has dismissed any possibility of an immediate rematch with Ilia Topuria. Speaking on Submission Radio following Gaethje's title victory at UFC Freedom 250 in June, Abdelaziz stated flatly that Topuria—who suffered his first professional loss in that fight—does not have the negotiating power to demand a quick return.

Abdelaziz argued that only Conor McGregor has ever wielded enough clout to secure immediate rematches in the UFC, and that Topuria falls well short of that status. The manager expressed confidence that Gaethje would defeat Topuria decisively if they fought again, claiming he believes the champion would win nine times out of ten because he "has his number."

"He's not fighting Justin Gaethje next," Abdelaziz said. "He doesn't call the shots." He added that Gaethje has "zero gain" from a rematch, suggesting the champion should move on to fresh challenges rather than run it back with the former titleholder.

Abdelaziz also addressed Topuria's allegations that Gaethje had something unusual in his gloves during their encounter. The manager reframed the complaint as a compliment to Gaethje's striking power, while noting that three athletic commissions—Las Vegas, Washington D.C., and California—all inspected the gloves with no issues found. Abdelaziz suggested Topuria raised the glove controversy to distract from hype surrounding another fighter's bout, a tactic he said echoes McGregor's media strategy.