In a notable turn of events, Justin Gaethje finds himself facing Max Holloway at UFC 300, with a potential challenge against Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title just seven weeks later. The matchup between Gaethje and Holloway, set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, has stirred some controversy within the MMA community. Critics argue that this fight disrupts the natural flow of the lightweight title picture.
Both the current 155-pound champion, Islam Makhachev, and former titleholder Khabib Nurmagomedov have voiced their disapproval of the UFC’s matchmaking. They believe Gaethje should have been the rightful contender. Meanwhile, Makhachev, eyeing a fight at UFC 302 on June 1 in Newark, N.J., has expressed doubts about finding a suitable opponent, prompting him to call out Dustin Poirier.
Gaethje acknowledges that he would be frustrated if Poirier were to secure the fight against Makhachev, considering his own victory over Poirier for the BMF title. However, Gaethje himself doesn’t envision fighting in June. Instead, he prefers a timeline toward the end of the year for his title shot, ideally at Madison Square Garden in November.
Expressing his gratitude for supporters who advocate for his immediate title shot against Makhachev, Gaethje maintains that it’s too late for such considerations. He’s fully focused on his upcoming battle with Holloway and is confident that if he emerges victorious, his next fight will indeed be for the UFC lightweight title.
Gaethje reflects on his journey in the sport, emphasizing his knockout victory over Rafael Fiziev, the former No. 2 contender. With no other notable challengers left in the division, Gaethje finds himself in his current position, ready to seize the opportunities presented to him despite the unexpected twists and turns in the UFC’s matchmaking.
