# Jon Anik hints at ‘internal conversations’ about Justin Gaethje vs Ilia Topuria 2

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-09-07 18:07 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Jon Anik points to internal discussions regarding a potential rematch between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria.

## Intelligence Brief
Recent combat sports coverage centers on potential matchmaking developments involving Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria. According to reports from MMA Mania, MMA Fighting, and Bloody Elbow, commentator Jon Anik has indicated that internal conversations are taking place regarding a possible rematch between Gaethje and Topuria. Anik expressed his perspective that this pairing is what he believes is going to happen next within the organization. Additional reports from Yahoo Sports and MMA Junkie discuss the broader landscape of the lightweight division following news regarding Gaethje's fighting schedule and his past performances.


Outlets such as MMA Mania, MMA Fighting, and Bloody Elbow heavily emphasize Jon Anik's insights into the internal deliberations of the promotion. These reports detail Anik's public statements regarding the potential matchup and the sequence of thoughts surrounding the lightweight and featherweight divisions. The background established across these reports highlights the ongoing state of the lightweight division and the implications of fighter availability and past bout outcomes. Yahoo Sports questions the current standing of the weight class given that Gaethje is sidelined for the rest of 2026.


MMA Junkie looks backward to historical events within the promotion, specifically analyzing how a major knockout defeat at a milestone event like UFC 300 paradoxically contributed to shaping Gaethje's enduring legacy in the sport. These elements create a complex backdrop of career milestones and scheduling realities for key personnel. Looking forward, coverage does not yet specify official dates, venue locations, or a formal promotional announcement regarding the proposed matchup between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria. Observers and fans must monitor official communications from the Ultimate Fighting Championship and statements from the fighters themselves to see whether the internal conversations mentioned by Jon Anik result in a finalized bout agreement or if the division will move in a different direction given Gaethje's stated inactivity through the conclusion of 2026.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo Sports | UFC champ Justin Gaethje isn't fighting for the rest of 2026. Where does that leave lightweight? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi3gFBVV95cUxNUWFhRG5ZeGV3MG5BbEEwQnhKcGNkTWQ3ajdqbTRSd0kxOUFyb25DajViRjRGbGp1TlRaeF9BUXdiYzFROHF5QTdTTjlISWdhX0NzcGk2RUFqRFE1TVRmVk9iLVNKSlVvdTBORjUxbzlvM2tYOUJMcWRfZjRQRGFLbFRoOUl5cGdTWVJtRk5icGFwSktwRWJxb1UwMXlkdVRsR2F4ekh2TDB6R1ZDMFg0Vm1wblhfYThPT1ZVNXVXUDZBbEl5WnMxcjk5bGxrdjA4X3plbWJwVFFweUZsZEE?oc=5) |
| MMA Junkie | How iconic UFC 300 knockout loss helped fulfill Justin Gaethje's legacy | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0gFBVV95cUxOOUs1UTFKOG1Qc0dMUl9yMFlfSjdaQWc4S1hWT1JfMVBGN2V6YTlVV1p3eUJfUHJ6OGdGeVJSRXU4T3QtbV9TWWtYa3A3RVIyTEh5NVR4SE9MY19PZWdnTmpCNTdmVG1VckR5em8yY29RODd3Ymk4TU5tcXJGN0NDS0t4WlRneTl0RjZFbnJlNXBDQzVkTVFhcHlSbHdDNjF4UzYyREhiN3NmQTROaV9DQXNrTWdDY0hTMDZ6SDZ2UFFoRXAwS09tbTZZVDdTT1B0eHc?oc=5) |
| MMA Mania | Jon Anik: Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria 2 might be next, according to ‘internal conversations’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwgFBVV95cUxPZHltem11TUstWW9TTHJndU4zNENPUHNVUE9VRWZocDh4VzRCM3pUVXYyYlBGX0tINmR6aGFwR2dJRDNkY1J2N3pUQl9kcm9LY3Nlc2pFSDlia29fMU5fUmNsMEJDVXJXMGtiYm0wODNqMFprN3F0QWVCanFDcjBlTXpVR2d2R0xEZVVwc2c3eklNYktSMHlNVnRmWnIwSnlRckU3Qmw1ZENUcV82dnQyUXBYaDJyNllhdGkyTldYNkFaUQ?oc=5) |
| MMA Fighting | Jon Anik thinks UFC is considering Justin Gaethje vs. Ilia Topuria rematch: ‘That’s what I think is going to happen’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi5AFBVV95cUxOZjJBb1pnWkFYRll3WXktbmxSYzFZR010TWNZdkt0bmxqSC1UY3dOeV9CZHJOWWJRbHZQRGk1Qndoc1Q0NzByR1JuejdwQTViLUQ2bnpNVkZaaDJ4alV2bFVZTk9laGhFZkc1MEZhNDRJQjJQWGpTbXNPLXlYSjJ3LTduaDQ1aXphZURucFlBRFZsTWllei1lNUczN1psbHJjR2JpVmFUMkZQVVlDbVlhd25hMXFqZ1ZfN3RLc20wTEVkV0VacTBRUVNxbVhmWGtZNFN5Q0hWeHZqekJXV1otbXFaaUI?oc=5) |
| Bloody Elbow | Jon Anik hints at ‘internal conversations’ about Justin Gaethje vs Ilia Topuria 2 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxNZXp4SjR6YjZQZVpWM0NOeEFnY1RiNFRyRWtpWnlENlMyOFNCRnpoNG9PQ3RlN2dvV3Z4cy0xS2dreG42TldNSk1SM3hSZE96M0UwNE4wQmRrNFpCanpOaDhoNmtqb1VkYTRLb3VORERlQUU3ekV2VFF6b0RGU0NLTXFHWGs3UHl4UGFuc05LQjZzQTBxaHJwcWQxNDMyc0NrN254Q1RSVjBhQ2xYUWxBajF5Wmdxdw?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-09-07/jon-anik-hints-at-internal-conversations-about-justin-gaethje-vs-ilia-topuria-2*