The recent victory of Justin Gaethje (26-5) over Rafael Fiziev (12-4) at UFC 313 has catapulted the American into the mix for a potential title shot against Islam Makhachev (27-1). Initially, it seemed likely that the lightweight champion would face either Ilia Topuria or Charles Oliveira next, but Gaethje is the only top-four contender that Makhachev hasn’t beaten. ‘The Matador’ would be a highly marketable opponent, but Makhachev has expressed a preference for fighting someone from his own weight class, having already defended his title twice against Alexander Volkanovski, the former featherweight champion.
This development could put a damper on Topuria’s aspirations, as he may need to face another opponent before securing his highly anticipated title shot. When asked about Gaethje’s prospects after the event, Dana White responded, “He’s still ranked as the number three in the world. His chances of getting a title shot are quite good.” Additionally, two of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s title defenses were against Dustin Poirier and Gaethje, which could be an added incentive for Makhachev to follow in his friend’s footsteps.
Gaethje, known as ‘The Highlight Reel,’ is a legend in the company and the division, having held the interim title and fought for the undisputed championship on two occasions. However, both ‘The Eagle’ and Charles Oliveira halted his momentum with submission wins. When asked about the possibility of a third title shot after his victory over Fiziev, Gaethje said, “I’m hoping to get the title shot. Makhachev is a very tough, very strong opponent, and I’ll need to have a perfect night to beat him.”
Makhachev and his team want Gaethje
Makhachev and his team have also capitalized on Gaethje’s victory to call for a fight against the American. Javier Mendes, Makhachev’s coach, stated in an interview with ‘Submission Radio’ that “we’ll focus on Justin Gaethje. For us, it would be ideal to face him, considering his position and what he’s achieved. He’s a big name and a well-known fighter, and Islam hasn’t fought him before.” If we weigh the risks and rewards, a fight against Gaethje is the most appealing option for the Russian, and his team is aware of this.
Mendes also discussed other potential contenders in the interview but surprisingly omitted Topuria. “If Dana White is saying it, I’m with Dana. A fight against Gaethje is something that excites me. Or Arman Tsarukyan, I also like that matchup,” he concluded. Makhachev and his team intend to fight at the International Fight Week in June, so in the coming weeks, we’ll learn more about his next opponent and Topuria’s future plans. As the lightweight division continues to unfold, one thing is certain – Gaethje’s victory has thrown a wrench into the works, and the road to the title just got a lot more interesting.