Justin Gaethje strongly believes that he deserves the opportunity to challenge lightweight champion Islam Makhachev following UFC 294.
Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) successfully defended his title by delivering a stunning knockout against Alexander Volkanovski (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC), who stepped in on short notice, in the first round at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. During the post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White expressed that it would make sense to rebook Makhachev’s originally scheduled rematch with Charles Oliveira.
However, Gaethje (25-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), who earned the “BMF” title with a memorable knockout victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 291 in July, firmly believes that Makhachev would easily defeat Oliveira once again.
“I’m ranked number two. I knocked out Poirier,” Gaethje expressed to ESPN. “Yes, Charles Oliveira is above me in the rankings, but he has already lost to Makhachev. A fresh and new matchup is what the fans are seeking.
“In my opinion, Makhachev would dominate Oliveira just like he did to me. MMA math doesn’t always add up. Although I’ve mentioned that Makhachev isn’t Khabib Nurmagomedov, he might be just as good. So I’m eager to step into the cage and find out.”
Although Volkanovski provided Makhachev with a tough challenge in their initial encounter at UFC 284, Makhachev conclusively emerged as the winner in their rematch. Gaethje acknowledges that dethroning Makhachev will be a formidable task, but he’s prepared for the challenge.
“He’s currently on a 13-fight winning streak,” Gaethje remarked. “Aside from the first fight against Volkanovski, he has been absolutely dominant. It’s a tough matchup, especially for someone who relies heavily on grappling. Makhachev’s decision to approach this as a striking-focused bout was indeed the correct game plan.
“Volkanovski is like a bowling ball. It’s difficult to keep a bowling ball down. That was truly impressive. I’ve been in this sport for a long time, and I’ve earned my position. I knocked out Dustin Poirier. Is Islam Makhachev beatable? I’m not entirely sure, but I’ll give it my all as I’ve always done.”
For more information about the event, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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