By Alex “The Hammer” Ramirez
Senior MMA Correspondent, FightWorld Magazine
January 22, 2026
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the mixed martial arts community, UFC medical officials have reportedly given lightweight contender Justin Gaethje a tight deadline to prove his fitness for this weekend’s blockbuster event. Sources close to the promotion confirm that if Gaethje’s highly publicized neck wound does not show significant improvement by Friday’s weigh-in, he will be pulled from the card and replaced by surging prospect Arman Tsarukyan.
The news comes amid weeks of mounting concern from fans who have been scrutinizing every update on Gaethje’s condition. The wound, first spotted during training footage leaked online in early January, has sparked widespread speculation about a possible staph infection—a notorious scourge in combat sports that can sideline fighters for months. Social media has been ablaze with amateur diagnoses, with hashtags like #GaethjeStaphWatch trending on X and Reddit forums dissecting photos of the inflamed area on his neck.
“Look at that thing—it’s red, swollen, and not healing. Classic staph,” one fan posted on X, echoing the sentiments of thousands. Others have shared horror stories from past UFC events where infections led to last-minute cancellations, like the infamous case of Kevin Lee’s bout in 2018.
However, Gaethje’s camp has been adamant in denying these rumors. In a statement released last week, his head coach Trevor Wittman dismissed the speculation as “baseless fear-mongering.” “Justin is fine. It’s a minor training abrasion, nothing more. No staph, no infection—just the grind of camp. He’s ready to put on a show,” Wittman said. Gaethje himself addressed the issue in a brief Instagram video, flexing his neck and quipping, “This? It’s battle scars. See you in the Octagon.”
Despite the bravado, UFC doctors aren’t taking any chances. According to insiders, Gaethje underwent a mandatory medical evaluation earlier this week, where physicians expressed concerns over the wound’s slow healing and potential risk of complications during fight night. “The UFC prioritizes fighter safety above all,” a source familiar with the situation told FightWorld. “If there’s even a hint that this could worsen under the lights or lead to an infection spread, they’re not risking it. Tsarukyan is on standby, and he’s hungry for that spotlight.”
Arman Tsarukyan, the 29-year-old Armenian powerhouse with a 21-3 record, has been quietly preparing as a potential replacement. Fresh off a dominant win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in 2024, Tsarukyan has climbed the lightweight ranks with his wrestling prowess and knockout power. “I’m ready whenever, wherever,” Tsarukyan posted cryptically on X yesterday, fueling further speculation.
UFC 324, set to take place this Saturday at the Apex in Las Vegas, was already shaping up as a must-watch card with Gaethje slated to face off against former champion Islam Makhachev in a highly anticipated rematch. Gaethje’s explosive style and Makhachev’s grappling mastery promised fireworks, but now the entire main event hangs in the balance.
This isn’t the first time injuries have disrupted UFC plans, but the timing—mere days before the event—adds extra drama. Fans are divided: some applaud the UFC’s caution, while others accuse the promotion of overreacting to online hysteria. “Let the man fight! He’s a warrior,” one supporter commented.
As weigh-ins approach on Friday, all eyes will be on Gaethje’s neck. Will the wound heal enough to satisfy the docs, or will Tsarukyan step in for a career-defining opportunity? FightWorld will have live updates as the story develops. Stay tuned, fight fans—this one’s far from over.
