One of the top UFC lightweights mocked Justin Gaethje for his post-UFC 313 title shot declaration.
UFC superstar Justin Gaethje returned to the Octagon with an impressive performance against Rafael Fiziev in the UFC 313 co-main event last Saturday. Just days after getting back in the win column, Gaethje knew exactly what he wants for his next UFC booking.
After outpointing Fiziev by unanimous decision last weekend, Gaethje is back into the lightweight title mix after appearing firmly out of it when Max Holloway knocked him out at UFC 300 last year. Many questioned whether or not the knockout loss to Holloway would result in another scary defeat at UFC 313.
But hours after UFC 313, Gaethje called for a shot at the title despite an ‘exhibition fight’ loss less than a year ago.
Justin Gaethje’s title shot callout countered by top contender
Gaethje made headlines on Monday when he sent a pointed message to Dana White regarding his next fight. He called for the next title shot against Islam Makhachev after winning three of his last four fights and helping to add a boost to UFC 300 last year.
A fellow lightweight star called Gaethje’s bluff on social media.
In a recent reply on X, Arman Tsarukyan blasted Gaethje’s post-UFC 313 title callout.
“You barely got past #11 on short notice, and before that, you got sent to the shadow realm. If you really want to be the #1 contender and fight for the belt, you have to go through me first,” Tsarukyan replied to Gaethje.
Tsarukyan was supposed to face Makhachev in the UFC 311 main event before withdrawing on hours’ notice due to a back injury. White and the UFC brass want Tsarukyan to fight another top contender, potentially Gaethje, before revisiting a lightweight title shot.
Surprisingly, Tsarukyan accepted the UFC’s stance on his next fight and is focused on a good fit for his next booking. Before he was supposed to face Makhachev, Tsarukyan defeated former titleholder Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.
Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan might be passed up for lightweight newcomer
Another complicated element of the lightweight title mix is Ilia Topuria, who announced a move to the division after finishing Holloway at UFC 308. He could potentially get the next title shot or face another top contender for his lightweight return.
The UFC matchmakers have expressed vague positions on Topuria’s place in the lightweight title picture. While it’s possible he could face Makhachev later this year, White hasn’t ruled out Topuria competing in a No. 1 contender bout before getting a title shot.
Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will fight for Topuria’s vacant featherweight belt at UFC 314 next month.
Gaethje is 0-2 in lineal UFC title fights during his career, with losses to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Oliveira. He won the BMF belt by knocking out Dustin Poirier at UFC 291, and although Poirier is expected to retire later this year, Gaethje has ruled out a potential trilogy.
Tsarukyan, Gaethje, and Topuria all make strong cases for the next lightweight title shot. In the meantime, a No. 1 contender bout between Tsarukyan and Gaethje could make a lot of sense.
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