Fans hoping to see Justin Gaethje back in the UFC anytime soon are going to have to wait a little longer as Ali Abdelaziz claims ‘The Highlight’ will likely be sidelined for the rest of the year after suffering a ‘busted nose’ in his stoppage defeat to Charles Oliveira this past May.
Abdelaziz, who manages Gaethje and several other fighters at Dominance MMA, claims the former interim UFC lightweight champion is still recovering from injury and hasn’t resumed sparring yet, recounting that he had to stop his client from further injuring himself in training last week.
Abdelaziz believes Gaethje will return ‘at the beginning of next year’ against a high-profile opponent, teasing a possible lightweight showdown with UFC superstar Conor McGregor, who is also recovering from a broken leg.