Justin Gaethje believes that with a win in the UFC 313 co-main event, he could secure himself a shot at the lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.
Earlier this week, the UFC world was sent into turmoil when Dan Hooker announced that he was out of his UFC 313 co-main event against Justin Gaethje.
The fight was being highlighted as a guaranteed Fight of the Year contender, especially after Hooker came to terms with going to hospital.
Fortunately, though, after five lightweights offered to fight Gaethje on short notice, UFC boss, Dana White announced that stepping in will be Rafael Fiziev.
Fiziev has been struggling to find a fight since returning from injury and has been chasing a rematch with Gaethje ever since their close fight in 2023.
Justin Gaethje believes he can earn a title shot with a win at UFC 313
One of the lightweight contenders who was offered the fight according to Gaethje, was Arman Tsarukyan.
‘The Highlight’ claimed that ‘Ahalkalakets’ turned down the fight, however, Tsarukyan revealed that he asked for a 160lb catchweight fight but it was rejected by the promotion.
After finding out about Hooker’s withdrawal, the 36-year-old was hopeful of fighting either Tsarukyan or Charles Oliveira, with them both being ranked ahead of him.
“My two (preferred) options were Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, that’s the number one and number two contender and I knew for a fact if I was to go in there and get a win over those guys without a doubt I’d be fighting for the belt next,” Gaethje told Jim Rome.
Despite fighting Fiziev, who is ranked eight places lower than him in the 155lb rankings, Gaethje believes a win over the explosive striker could earn him a title shot at Islam Makhachev because of the perfect timing.
“You know, it really doesn’t matter who it is, timing is everything in this sport, we saw what Dustin Poirier (did), I beat him and then he fought for the belt right after that and I think the timing is gonna line up well.
“I go in there and get a finish with an outstanding performance like I always do, I think I’ll be one of the guys that they consider to fight Makhachev,” Gaethje admitted.
Could Gaethje earn the next lightweight title shot?
Timing is a significant factor when deciding who fights for the title, and after saving the UFC 313 co-main event, the UFC could end up repaying the 36-year-old the favor if he wins.
The lightweight division was recently shaken up drastically when featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria announced he has vacated his 145lb title to permanently move up to 155lbs in hopes of fighting Makhachev.
Despite Topuria being hopeful of securing an immediate shot at the title, Makhachev and his team aren’t keen on that fight as they believe the Spaniard needs a win over a top lightweight contender first.
Not only that, but when discussing which lightweight contender he could fight next, Makhachev named Gaethje at the top of his list.