# Justin Gaethje's manager shares new theory on Ilia Topuria's glove accusation as he rules out rematch

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-09-23 22:00 UTC · Category: Sports

## Executive Summary
Justin Gaethje's camp addresses Ilia Topuria's glove claims and dismisses any potential rematch talks.

## Intelligence Brief
Recent coverage across multiple mixed martial arts outlets reveals significant developments regarding the lightweight division, specifically concerning Justin Gaethje, his manager, and Ilia Topuria. According to reports from MMA Junkie, MMA Sucka, heavy.com, Bloody Elbow, and MMA Fighting, the discourse centers around recent accusations involving gloves, potential rematches, and future title contenders within the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Gaethje's manager has shared a new theory regarding Topuria's glove accusation while firmly ruling out the possibility of a rematch. At the same time, Gaethje has publicly encouraged Topuria to move back down to the 145-pound weight class, asserting his belief that Topuria is simply too small for the lightweight division. The ongoing coverage heavily emphasizes various perspectives on the division's landscape, featuring commentary and proposals from notable figures within the sport.


Bloody Elbow and MMA Sucka report that Henry Cejudo has proposed major fights to determine the next UFC lightweight title challenger. Cejudo has specifically named potential matchups for fighters such as Paddy Pimblett and Usman Nurmagomedov under conditions relating to whether a UFC star is actually hurt. Meanwhile, MMA Fighting highlights Gaethje's stance that Arman Tsarukyan is next in line for a title opportunity, further complicating the trajectory of the weight class and establishing clear boundaries against Topuria's division aspirations. This flurry of statements and proposals arrives as fighters and their management teams jockey for position within the UFC rankings and championship picture. The context provided by the reporting outlines a complex web of weight class dynamics, where fighters like Gaethje advocate for natural size limits while dismissing outside challenges.


Topuria's previous glove accusations have sparked debate, prompting Gaethje's manager to counter with a fresh theory that effectively shuts down the conversation around a second meeting between the athletes. The discussions also incorporate other top contenders like Tsarukyan, Pimblett, and Nurmagomedov, illustrating a broader struggle for dominance and title contention. As the situation develops, observers and fans are left waiting to see how the organization will officially navigate these competing demands and proposals from fighters and their representatives. Coverage does not yet specify official matchmaking confirmations by the Ultimate Fighting Championship regarding Cejudo's proposed bouts for Pimblett and Nurmagomedov. Future updates will likely clarify whether Tsarukyan secures the next title opportunity or if alternative paths emerge for Topuria, Gaethje, and other key contenders in the lightweight and featherweight divisions.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| MMA Junkie | Justin Gaethje's manager attempts to put Ilia Topuria in his place on rematch talk | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizAFBVV95cUxQVDFHRG9rdHJiakRsWVc0Vm02OW5BTlltU19aeTNibE92dkU5ZHBMemV2NWtDTzdMUUhfQUNnYnNPZFFNblpodDJwZkxZMFZZQ2l4YVRqa3JOLTVRQ1hqLUdudHMya2U1azdfNEgwZ3FnN3I3dmNabGtDdjYtMHE4RllPSDl5Z1Iwb1JEYkNqN3l5UHBKbjNNU1RBZmNURExScF9HdmgtcTI2SGRfWktaUzM5ajJQazU5Y3dZMjlBWjJBcDZDaDIxWGhFbkY?oc=5) |
| MMA Sucka | Henry Cejudo proposes major fights to determine Justin Gaethje's next UFC lightweight title challenger | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixgFBVV95cUxNQWlNbjlkenR3b1llbWZGOWwzOU84S2MwVEoyTTdjbUpBa2tyR2hHTERzZ1FELUpmZkkwVDVoYy1sQzFkTHlOTmYtVVZ3N3B6WF82R3Frd1YtVDNjTWVCejFPRU5lcnJzNTRuU2tsTms2aUJRZnI0bHJXd1FHVFF4YlJtZmxVTkdBV2Z4LUhQdjFSV0F2ZDJwVkR6UUp2MUtwZE8xakhHMVVCY3FqVjdhVjdvYkE4NW96cTBZOWlJUWF1TklheWc?oc=5) |
| heavy.com | Justin Gaethje Encourages Ilia Topuria to Move Back to 145 lbs | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxOU3JGQnRGTzN2c01XNDREemluR0otaGpYVi1SbVJ3eEJ5OW1ZRXVlZDRYR1RoS21mUHhfUkdEd0FWNldIdndWN3Qya0UwLWRibUpDbTZqajNfcHg5Nkx6eXQxSExzT2VzS3BEX3FiektQTUM5SjVOdXZka2RmdEw5bEt1RmlXX3ZYMWc?oc=5) |
| Bloody Elbow | Henry Cejudo names who Paddy Pimblett and Usman Nurmagomedov should fight next if UFC star is actually 'hurt' | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi2wFBVV95cUxNOVduNWl6Wjd2cHd4cmJsLS1PZ3FsSXBiZTJXV0VOcHYzTXp1WmpqU0R0bTljTDlsX2YybjlOYjhVLUtPXy1ldXNlVndXclJIMnljN1BIVzFVakNXRVFEcENRbjZiX3Q0UnhTaThMXzJkeWJmNEMyOWhEblF1R2FMYkhEbDFPZUx0TjNPdHo1WFpSSlg1aEdFbEJ5Tjg1Mzh3Z1ZlZW1abzFIVjhDdVhSUTVDWVFwUzhEQmhPUk0yLWMzai1iMUxJRzJYWjREbEFZaHFEeEdwZG8yM1U?oc=5) |
| MMA Fighting | Justin Gaethje thinks Ilia Topuria is too small for lightweight, says Arman Tsarukyan is ‘next in line’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1gFBVV95cUxPM3FrSUVrNERjZVAwdG9XOVRNTVF3SGNabmdHNnd4R3hmbDQ3UjZ5Rll1Vk9aMXFrUGZXZU5BeXhQS1ZjblZ3RExwN1FSUlJYRnk3MXlZYVdDdGdUN0swZGtrV0xVd1BidTR6aGFLMXBXZGwyMDhjWUZYdEs3cWE4aXBGNE9aVHVpMXZzbm1yUHN1UGNValNXY0Nzd01wS0o2dnFyeU04aWdKNnJpR3kxMWhNemtQWU9yVHJDX3NTdDFGTWtUSVhSX0VOaUUwRnR1bzBuU0NR?oc=5) |
| Bloody Elbow | Justin Gaethje's manager shares new theory on Ilia Topuria's glove accusation as he rules out rematch | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0AFBVV95cUxNa1lxV25aU0ZkdTdmLWxyWW9PSzRxYVN0UFkyeXdEN1NqUjE0VHdjcjlfOG1GY2F4YnByYzJEUFl1QnBBZ05iRGtFeS0zZEl6dDlWdUNKcXlQWFBnOGZydncwc0kwX3NFNlFWVTZmWGVUUDhuUHh3OW1TVUhyQXdOekVsVy1ESnJ2bE9MVGFTbDUxejVGMlRTMFJVelRlZF9va3lWNzhENmNaY1VBOXdUU2dJeVlKWWNNNThWeDlwbnVZTDgyY0huTVEzay1mcVR4?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-09-23/justin-gaethje-s-manager-shares-new-theory-on-ilia-topuria-s-glove-accusation*