Justin Gaethje hopes the UFC will call his name and challenge the Islamic Makhachev for a lightweight title.
Makachev’s next move remains a mystery, especially as featherweight champion Ilia Topria, when the UFC 314 main event between Alexander Volkanovsky and Diego Lopez began running lightly, especially as featherweight champion Ilia Topria is set to open the title. Another possibility is to move up to 170 to challenge the second belt, especially if Jack Dela Maddarena becomes the welterweight champion at UFC 315 next month.
What’s certain is that if Makhachev fights in UFC 317 (Promotion International Battle Week Pay-per-View Card) and puts a lightweight title on the line, Gaethje’s hands will be raised as high as possible.
“I’m ready to fight, I’m ready to fight in June,” Gaethje told Schmo. “I don’t know, I think Makhachev said he wanted to fight in June. I’m hoping to call sooner than later… I’m obviously working, but it was a crazy ride.
“I lost 4-1 in my last five fights to Max Holloway. We have (Charles) Oliveira.
Gaethje recently won a decisive victory over Rafael Fizeiev in a brief notification rematch at UFC 313 a month ago. “Highlights” returned to Holloi from a highlight reel knockout loss at the UFC 300 11 months ago, but the wildness of the 155-pound division made Gaethje once again find himself in the title discussion.
If Makhachev stays at 155 and is not vacant due to a move to welterweight, Gatche feels he has a strong case along with the other two to get his next shot.
“One of these three names has to fight for the belt: me, Oliveira, or Topria,” Gatche said. “So I hope they call my name, draw my number and pull my card. Otherwise, I’m not thinking about that either.”