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UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev just defeated UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski for the second straight time in the main event of UFC 294.
Former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje believes he should be the next fighter to get a shot at the lightweight champion.
“I’m No. 2. I knocked out Poirier,” Gaethje told ESPN (transcript via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie). “I mean, Charles Oliveira is ahead of me, but he already lost to Makhachev. I have not fought Makhachev. It’s a fresh matchup, a new matchup, and I think that’s what the fans are looking for. I think (Makhachev) would have dominated Oliveira just the same. Oliveira beat me, MMA math doesn’t work. I’ve said (Makhachev is) not Khabib (Nurmagomedov), but I think he might be (as good). So I just want to go out there and figure it out.”
Gaethje had previously fought twice before for the UFC Lightweight Title, dropping bouts to former champions Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The former interim champion promises to give his best effort if he is awarded a lightweight title opportunity.
“He’s on a 13-fight winning streak,” Gaethje said. “He’s been absolutely dominant outside of the first Volkanovski fight. But again, that’s such a tough matchup for someone that’s coming in grappling heavy. I think him attacking this as a striking-heavy fight seemed to be absolutely (the right game plan).
“(Volkanovski) is a bowling ball. It’s hard to hold a bowling ball down. It is what it is. That was impressive. I’ve been here for a long time. I’ve been doing this sh*t for a long time, but I’ve earned my spot. I knocked out Dustin Poirier. Is Islam Makhachev beatable? I don’t know, but I’m going to give everything as I always have.”
