Justin Gaethje believes that with a victory at the UFC 313 Co-Main event he could get himself a chance on the lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.
Earlier this week the UFC world was sent in unrest when Hooker announced that he was from his UFC 313 Co-Main event against Justin Gaethje.
The fight was emphasized as a guaranteed fight from the annual candidate, especially after Hooker came to the demise to go to the hospital.
Fortunately, however, after five light weights offered to fight Gaethje in the short term, UFC boss announced, Dana White announced that steps in Rafael will be Fiziev.
Fiziev has difficulty finding a fight since returning an injury and has chased a rematch with Gaethje since their narrow fight in 2023.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Justin Gaethje believes that he can earn a title shot with a victory over UFC 313
One of the lightweight contenders who, according to Gaethje, was offered the fight, was Arman Tsarukyan.
'The highlight' claimed that 'Ahalkalakets' set off the fight, but Tsarukyan revealed that he asked for a catch fight of 160 pounds, but it was rejected by the promotion.
After finding it from Hooker's withdrawal, the 36-year-old hoped to fight against Tsarukyan or Charles Oliveira, where they were both arranged for him.
“My two (preferred) options were Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan, that is the number one and number two competitions and I was sure that I would go in there and who would win that guys without a doubt that I would fight for the belt,” Gaethje told Jim Rome.
Despite the fight against Fiziev, which is lower in eight places than he is in the ranking of 155 pounds, Gaethje believes that a victory over the explosive striker can earn a title on Islam Makhakev because of the perfect timing.
“You know, it really doesn't matter who it is, timing is everything in this sport, we saw some Dustin Poirier (did), I hit him and then he fought for the belt afterwards and I think the timing will be in line.
“I go inside and get a finish with an excellent achievement like I always do, I think I will be one of the boys they consider to fight against Makhachev,” Gaethje admitted.
Can Gaethje earn the next lightweight title shot?
Timing is an important factor in deciding who is fighting for the title, and after saving the UFC 313 Co-Main event, the UFC could repay the 36-year-old the favor if he wins.
The lightweight division was recently shaken drastically when champion Vederweight, Ilia Topuria announced that he left his 145 pound title to move permanently to 155 pounds in the hope of fighting Makhakev.
Although Topuria is hopeful to make an immediate shot at the title, Makhachev and his team are not fond of that fight, because they believe that the Spaniard first needs a victory over a top lightweight competition.
Not only that, but when discussing which lightweight competition he could then fight, Makhacheve called Gaethje at the top of his list.
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