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Justin Gaethje’s upcoming interim UFC lightweight title fight against Paddy Pimblett could be his last if he loses. According to Chael Sonnen, a defeat to Pimblett in the UFC 324 headliner could push Gaethje into retirement.Gaethje now stands at a critical crossroads in his career. He faces a younger contender, and a loss would send him at the back of the lightweight title line.As the division continues to evolve and younger contenders surge forward, Gaethje may walk away from the sport. His bout against Pimblett marks his second interim title fight, and with a win would secure his third undisputed title shot. If he falls short, this could represent his final opportunity, given he is 37-years-old.During an appearance on The Bohnfire with Mike Bohn, Sonnen explained why UFC 324 could mark Gaethje’s final fight. The former UFC title challenger said ‘The Highlight’ would have little motivation to continue competing if he loses to Pimblett.“Gaethje could get more fights but I don’t know if he would want that. He is a true competitor, he wants to be champion. That’s what this whole thing’s about,” Sonnen said. “The press conferences and telling the story, and ‘Why are we here?’ I need that as a fan. I’ve seen enough cage fights. I need to know, ‘Why are we here [and] why does this matter?'” Chael Sonnen Believes Justin Gaethje is Hinting at RetirementChael Sonnen also suggested that Justin Gaethje has already hinted at retirement ahead of UFC 324. Before receiving the interim lightweight title fight, Gaethje was vocal that he would retire if he was passed over.Now that he received a title opportunity, Gaethje has added urgency to his approach to oddsmakers wrong. Gaethje outlined ambitious future plans should he defeat Pimblett on Saturday.Despite that, Sonnen believes the end may be near for Gaethje based on patterns he has observed with other fighters.“I’m going to say yes, I think [Gaethje] puts the gloves down [if he loses to Pimblett at UFC 324]. And that concerns me,” Sonnen told The Bohnfire with Mike Bohn. “When a guy starts talking that way, historically speaking, it doesn’t go their way but not every time. You do have to wonder, why he is speaking that way.”He added:“Sometimes the athlete has to put themselves in a position of urgency. I think that’s what Justin’s doing, or at least attempting to do.” Sonnen Explains Gaethje’s MindsetSonnen also shared his thoughts on Gaethje’s mindset heading into his fight with Pimblett. He explained that once an elite contender can no longer realistically pursue a UFC title, they often walk away.Gaethje has competed at the highest level and remained a fixture near the top of the lightweight division for years. Sonnen said that if ‘The Highlight’ fails to capture the interim lightweight title, there would be little incentive to continue.“This is cutthroat but it’s a cutthroat business. I really like Justin, I like to be respectful when I speak of Justin. There would be no reason to fight anymore [if he loses],” Sonnen told The Bohnfire with Mike Bohn. “The UFC is for people who are champions or are future champions, at least in theory. There are exceptions but once you prove, ‘I no longer qualify as that, I for sure am not going to be champion,’ in theory your time is done.” Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Will Justin Gaethje Retire With a Loss to Paddy Pimblett? Chael Sonnen Thinks So appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Atlanta Falcons, despite a change at head coach, are retaining former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator. We have retained Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinatorhttps://t.co/fTV4eOUuOM pic.twitter.com/uUJ9gpkjdG — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 19, 2026 Raheem Morris was let go after two underwhelming seasons on the job in Atlanta, and two-time Coach of the Year winner Kevin Stefanski has been hired to replace him.Stefanski is keeping Ulbrich on to coordinate his defense, which was one of the better units in the NFL this past season.The Falcons set a franchise record in quarterback sacks this past season, recording 57, led by first-round picks James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker.Falcons Keeping Defensive ContinuityWhen Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank addressed the media after firing Morris, he said he would not mandate the next head coach to keep Ulbrich as defensive coordinator, but recommended it.“Jeff Ulbrich, in my view, he did a really fine job for us this year. Certainly look at the record of sacks. And just the overall performance of defense was definitely better than it’s been in the past,” Blank said, via the team website.Stefanski is clearly taking his new owner’s advice, and Ulbrich will coordinate the defense in 2026.The Falcons’ defense was one of the worst in the league in 2024, the first year of Morris’ tenure. They ranked 28th in Sumer Sports’ EPA/play and were 31st in sacks with just 31 as a team.After bringing Ulbrich into the fold and mortgaging their 2026 draft capital on two first-round edge rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft, Atlanta improved to 15th in defensive EPA/play and second in the league in total sacks behind only the Denver Broncos.It’s no wonder that Blank wanted to keep Ulbrich around. The work he’s done with the defense is incredible, and if Stefanski can get the offense functioning properly, the Falcons can be a real threat in the NFC for 2026.Jeff Ulbrich’s Unfortunate Jets TenureWhen the New York Jets hired Robert Saleh to be their head coach in early 2021, one of the first hires he made was Ulbrich as his defensive coordinator.After a lackluster first year, the Jets’ defense transformed into one of the best units in the league, ranking in the top-10 for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.Heading into a do-or-die 2024 season, Ulbrich was thrust into the interim head coach role after Saleh was fired for a slow start.“I feel that we had to go in a different direction and that’s why I did that today. The change that we made today, that I made, I believe will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins starting now,” owner Woody Johnson said in a statement after firing Saleh.“I just felt that the best way to go forward with a new direction and taking Jeff Ulbrich and making him the interim head coach, I thought that would get the most out of this team and give us the best chance to do what we all want to, which is going to the playoffs.”The Jets would not make the playoffs under the guidance of Ulbrich and would finish 3-9 down the stretch of the season.Ulbrich later admitted regret in retaining defensive play-calling duties, wishing he hadn’t divided his attention in his first chance as a head coach.“There is an element of a failure for myself in that way because I didn’t delegate,” Ulbrich told reporters at his Atlanta Falcons introductory press conference.“I didn’t. I just took it all on myself. In my mind’s eye, I was trying to create continuity and I didn’t want a fractious staff.”If Ulbrich can put together another season of elite defense, he may get another shot at being a head coach.After all, he received head coaching interview requests for helping turn the Jets’ defense around. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Kevin Stefanski Retains Former Jets Coach as Falcons DC appeared first on Heavy Sports.